Hugh Jackman explains why he signed up for Treasure Island

Hugh Jackman has explained why he signed up for Sir Ridley Scott's new adaptation of Treasure Island.

The Greatest Showman star is reportedly set to play Long John Silver in Scott's big screen version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate story and Hugh has now revealed he agreed to appear in the project after reading the "amazing" script by Adolescence writer Jack Thorne.

When asked why he signed up for the project, Jackman told Variety: "Really, it was the script. I know Ridley and Ridley goes: 'Dude.'

"He sent me the script, and I just read it. I had never read the book, had never seen the movie. I knew various things about it.

"I actually didn’t know how foundational it was - the idea of a treasure map, the pirate and the parrot and all.

"I was like: 'Oh, they came from that.' And Jack Thorne, who famously wrote Adolescence and did Harry Potter for the stage show - this script was just undeniable. I was just like: 'Oh, this is amazing.' That was it."

Asked to explain how the script "surprised" him, Jackman replied: "All I knew was I had no idea where it was going, and I was very surprised but satisfied at the end."

Treasure Island - which has sold more than 100 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages since its release in 1983 - follows a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who embarks on a dangerous sea voyage to claim a fortune after uncovering a map to legendary buried treasure, only to get embroiled in a deadly battle of wits with Long John Silver.

Scott has previously admitted he was hoping to sign Adolescence star Owen Cooper for the role of Jim while he's also expressed interest in hiring Hugh Grant, who could be lined up to play a pirate.

The director told Collider: "Yes, [it's] with Hugh Jackman. I hope Hugh Grant, and I hope the kid from Adolescence." Scott also revealed he has set a start date for Treasure Island and he hopes to begin filming on November 1.

It comes after Scott admitted he still sketches out his films on paper.

The filmmaker behind blockbusters including Blade Runner, Alien and Gladiator credits his art student days for shaping the way he works today, having studied design and painting at West Hartlepool College of Art, then graphic design at the Royal College of Art (RCA), both in the UK.

Scott, 88, told People: "I’m filming on paper in my head, but then it goes onto the paper because my time at art school is the most useful time in my life. I use everything at an art school today."