Treasure Island
1 Writer
Additional Project Info
“What I want," declared young Robert Louis Stevenson, as he embarked on a story to entertain his young stepson, "is the best book about buccaneers.” He got it: a tale of pirates and mutiny and treasure: the greatest adventure story of all time. Yet for the past century, no one has made a film worthy of the book. Early versions fail the test of time. (Wallace Beery is passable; Jackie Cooper is insufferable.) Recent versions butcher the novel – and why? The original story is box office gold. And Long John Silver? Think Idris Elba. In the 18th century, a free black man had few paths to wealth. But as a pirate? He could make his fortune.... With a handful of sets and locations, Treasure Island can be affordably produced for under $20 million, and earn ten times or more at the box office: a summer blockbuster in the making – smartly entertaining kids and adults alike around the world. At last -- a timeless story gets the script it deserves.