The Dog Stars (film)

Last updated

The Dog Stars
Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by
Based on The Dog Stars
by Peter Heller
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Erik Messerschmidt
Edited by
Production
company
Distributed by 20th Century Studios
Release date
  • March 27, 2026 (2026-03-27)
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Dog Stars is an upcoming post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and written by Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson, based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller.

Contents

Premise

"The movie is set in the aftermath of a catastrophic flu virus that nearly wiped out humanity... the movie follows Hig (Elordi), a civilian pilot, and a tough ex-marine (Brolin), who face invaders and the hope for a better life outside their current dwelling." [1]

Cast

Production

Film set preparation in Avezzano in May 2025 The Dog Stars - set in Avezzano.jpg
Film set preparation in Avezzano in May 2025

Development

In November 2024, Ridley Scott stated that after shooting his planned Bee Gees biopic, he wanted to direct a then-unrevealed sci-fi film, adding that "it's already written." [2] This project was later revealed to be based on the 2012 novel The Dog Stars by Peter Heller, adapted by Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson. [3] By this time, it was set to be Scott's next film, with filming set to begin in spring 2025. [4] [5]

Casting

In November 2024, it was announced that Paul Mescal was in advanced negotiations to star in the film. [4] [6] However, due to scheduling conflicts, it was later reported in January 2025 that Jacob Elordi was in early negotiations to replace Mescal. [7] In February, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, and Guy Pearce were in final negotiations to join the cast. [8] In early May 2025, Benedict Wong joined the cast. [9]

Filming

Principal photography began in Bordano in April 2025. [10] [11] [12] From May 12 to 16, filming took place in Cansiglio, a plateau in the Alpine foothills. [13] [14] [15] [16] Later that month, filming took place in Avezzano. [17] In June, production moved to Rome, where filming took place at Cinecittà Studios and in Casal Bernocchi  [ it ] and the EUR. [18] [19] [20] Production concluded in late June 2025. [21]

Release

The Dog Stars is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 27, 2026. [22] [23]

References

  1. Yang, Katrina (23 May 2025). "Ridley Scott's Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Movie Sets 2026 Release Date". Screen Rant . Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  2. Lambie, Ryan (1 November 2024). "Ridley Scott says he's directing a mystery sci-fi film (exclusive)". Film Stories. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  3. Bergesen, Samantha (7 January 2025). "Jacob Elordi in Talks to Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars'". IndieWire . Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 Kroll, Justin; Fleming Jr, Mike (8 November 2024). "Ridley Scott Back In Arena With 'Gladiator II' Star Paul Mescal On 'The Dog Stars' At 20th Century". Deadline . Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  5. Stephan, Katcy (8 November 2024). "Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal to Re-Team After 'Gladiator II' on 'The Dog Stars'". Variety . Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  6. Vlessing, Etan (8 November 2024). "Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal Reteam for 'The Dog Stars'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  7. Siegel, Tatiana (7 January 2025). "Jacob Elordi in Talks to Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  8. Kroll, Justin; Fleming Jr, Mike (12 February 2025). "Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin And Guy Pearce Join Jacob Elordi In Ridley Scott's Next Film 'The Dog Stars'". Deadline . Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  9. Grobar, Matt (8 May 2025). "Benedict Wong Joins Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars'". Deadline . Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  10. Polesini, Gian Paolo (12 April 2025). "Abbiamo cercato di avvicinarci al set di Ridley Scott in Friuli per scoprirne tutti i misteri" . Messaggero Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  11. D'Ascenzo, Sara (18 April 2025). "Cinema, il Cansiglio diventa set del kolossal di Ridley Scott: sentieri off limits e 500 comparse". Corriere del Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  12. Benotti, Chiara (20 April 2025). "Ridley Scott, le riprese del film in Cansiglio: alberghi sold-out a Polcenigo". Messaggero Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  13. Dal Mas, Francesco (9 May 2025). "Tir, cartelli e strade chiuse: il cinema di Ridley Scott sbarca in Cansiglio". La Tribuna di Treviso (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  14. D'Ascenzo, Sara (13 May 2025). "Il nuovo film di Ridley Scott nella foresta del Cansiglio, sul set anche tre capre: «Hanno partecipato a un casting»". Corriere del Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  15. Santolin, Rossana (13 May 2025). "Ridley Scott gira "The Dog Stars" in Cansiglio: il set hollywoodiano accende i riflettori sulle Prealpi". La Tribuna di Treviso (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  16. Dal Mas, Francesco (17 May 2025). "Ridley Scott a Follina: fan a caccia di autografi e selfie". La Tribuna di Treviso (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  17. Pagliaroli, Alice (17 April 2025). "Avezzano set per il film di Ridley Scott: riprese a maggio". Il Centro (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  18. Valente, Emanuela (13 June 2025). "Roma set cinematografico: Casal Bernocchi apocalittica per Ridley Scott in "The Dog Stars"". Canale 10  [ it ] (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  19. Musci, Anna (24 June 2025). "Roma, l'Eur si trasforma in un set: va in scena il nuovo film di Ridley Scott, auto in fiamme e un elicottero tra i palazzi". Il Messaggero (in Italian). Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  20. Sernagiotto, Camilla (24 June 2025). "Ridley Scott a Roma all'Eur gira film post-apocalittico The Dog Stars". Sky TG24 (in Italian). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  21. Jones, Tamera; Weintraub, Steven (7 June 2025). ""You Know What? F**k It": Ridley Scott Reveals The Truth Of What Happened With the 'Kingdom of Heaven' Director's Cut [Exclusive]". Collider . Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  22. Grobar, Matt (22 May 2025). "Disney Pushes Next Two 'Avengers' Movies; Dates 'The Dog Stars' & 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'". Deadline . Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  23. Jackson, Angelique; Saperstein, Pat (22 May 2025). "'The Devil Wears Prada' Sequel Set for May 2026; Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' Dated for March". Variety . Retrieved 16 October 2025.