Rights to 'real life Lord of the Flies' story acquired by film studio behind 12 Years a Slave

The story is told in Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's new book, Humankind: A Hopeful History

A still from the 1960 film adaptation of Lord of the Flies (Rex)

The "real-life" version of Lord of the Flies looks set to become its own film, after the Hollywood studio behind 12 Years a Slave acquired the rights.

The extraordinary tale is told in Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's new book Humankind: A Hopeful History, in which he argues that humanity is fundamentally compassionate.

As evidence, he presents the true story of six boys from Tonga in Polynesia who, in 1965, skipped school to go on a fishing trip only to get caught in a storm.

The teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, were shipwrecked Lord of the Flies-style on a tiny island for over a year, during which time they committed to fishing, foraging and caring for one another until they were rescued by a passing boat.

Since The Guardian published an extract of the book earlier this month, Bregman was inundated with requests by filmmakers to secure the rights to the story.

Bregman has now confirmed that New Regency had won the battle, and said the offer was accepted in a collective decision by himself, the four living survivors – Sione, Mano, Tevita and Luke – and the Australian sailor, Peter Warner, who rescued them.

Bregman told The Guardian: “I was so surprised the story exploded in the way it did. Dozens of film-makers wanted the story. I thought it was vital for us to collectively decide what to do.

“We had received lots of offers, and pitches. It was really important to all of us that they understood this was a Tongan story, there were very deep cultural reasons why these boys were able to survive – their spirituality, their upbringing. Yesterday at 6am we had a Zoom call, all of us, in four different time zones. When we made the decision it was a very emotional moment for all of us.”

Bregman says the proceeds will be shared equally, with each receiving one-sixth. Bregman says he will donate his share to a Tongan charity. Sione, Mano, Tevita and Luke will reportedly act as consultants on the film.

Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi was among those to express their hope that the story does not become the victim of whitewashing.

He tweeted: “Personally, I think you should prioritise Polynesian (Tongan if possible!) filmmakers as to avoid cultural appropriation, misrepresentation, and to keep the Pasifika voice authentic.”

Bregman says that New Regency “made very clear promises in that regard”, adding: “It was very important to all of us that they would honour the Pacific voice, that the film would go really deep in understanding Tongan culture.”