Ridley Scott Claims ‘Treasure Island’ Will Be the Most Expensive Movie of His Career

I was tipped off by The Ridley Scott Archives that the man himself, in a Patreon podcast interview, reportedly said that his upcoming “Treasure Island,” acquired by Sony, could be “the highest budget film” of his career before accounting for tax incentives and subsidies.

If Scott isn’t bullsh*tting here, and lord knows he might be, that would put the cost of “Treasure Island” in the $200M+ range. Scott has had four films that cost over $200M in his career, including “Gladiator II” ($250M+), “Napoleon” ($200M), “Robin Hood” ($237M) and “Exodus” ($200M).

This latest “twist” about “Treasure Island” comes as Scott’s “The Dog Stars” struggles at the box office. The film cost $89M to produce and has only made $33M globally. This is the fifth straight costly flop for Scott after “The Last Duel,” “House of Gucci,” “Napoleon” and “Gladiator II.”

Of course, “Treasure Island” wasn’t going to be cheap, but a budget of over $200M is wild stuff for Scott, 88, at this stage in his career.

The film is supposed to star Hugh Jackman. Hugh Grant and Owen Cooper are also circling roles. Jack Thorne, who is red-hot these days thanks to his work on the acclaimed Netflix series “Adolescence” and the upcoming “Lord of the Flies,” wrote the screenplay.

Furthermore, Scott confirmed that the film will begin production on November 1. Filming will take place in the Canary Islands, which is where Scott has been location scouting.

The story of “Treasure Island,” based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 adventure novel, told and retold several times, follows young Jim Hawkins as he discovers a treasure map and embarks on a dangerous sea voyage that becomes a deadly contest of loyalty and deception with Long John Silver. Although Blackbeard does not appear in Stevenson’s original novel, Scott’s adaptation appears to be incorporating the legendary pirate into the story.

Will yet another iteration of “Treasure Island” be welcomed by the masses?