The Dog Stars (film)

{{Infobox film

| name = The Dog Stars

| image =

| caption =

| director = Ridley Scott

| writer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| based_on = {{Based on|The Dog Stars|Peter Heller}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Ridley Scott
Michael Pruss
Cliff Roberts
Mark L. Smith

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Erik Messerschmidt

| editing =

| music =

| production_companies = Scott Free Productions

| distributor = 20th Century Studios

| released = {{Film date|2026|3|27}}

| runtime =

| country = {{Plainlist|

United States
United Kingdom

}}

| language = English

}}

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.

Cast

Production

File:The Dog Stars - set in Avezzano.jpg 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."{{cite web |last=Lambie |first=Ryan |url=https://filmstories.co.uk/news/ridley-scott-says-hes-directing-a-mystery-sci-fi-film-exclusive/ |title=Ridley Scott says he's directing a mystery sci-fi film (exclusive) |website=Film Stories |date=1 November 2024 |access-date=1 November 2024}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Bergesen |first1=Samantha |title=Jacob Elordi in Talks to Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/jacob-elordi-replace-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-the-dog-stars-1235082999/ |website=IndieWire |date=7 January 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025}} By this time, it was set to be Scott's next film, with filming set to begin in spring 2025.{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |last2=Fleming Jr |first2=Mike |title=Ridley Scott Back In Arena With 'Gladiator II' Star Paul Mescal On 'The Dog Stars' At 20th Century |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/ridley-scott-paul-mescal-the-dog-stars-gladiator-ii-1236161226/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=8 November 2024}}{{cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |title=Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal to Re-Team After 'Gladiator II' on 'The Dog Stars' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ridley-scott-paul-mescal-the-dog-stars-1236205008/ |website=Variety |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=8 November 2024}}

=Casting=

In November 2024, it was announced that Paul Mescal was in advanced negotiations to star in the film. However, due to scheduling conflicts, it was reported that Jacob Elordi was in early negotiations to replace Mescal in January 2025.{{cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |title=Jacob Elordi in Talks to Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/jacob-elordi-replace-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-the-dog-stars-1236267363/ |website=Variety |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=7 January 2025}} In February, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce were in final negotiations to join the cast.{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |last2=Fleming Jr |first2=Mike |title=Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin And Guy Pearce Join Jacob Elordi In Ridley Scott's Next Film 'The Dog Stars' |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/margaret-qualley-josh-brolin-guy-pearce-jacob-elordi-ridley-scott-dog-stars-1236280702/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=12 February 2025 |date=12 February 2025}} In May 2025, Benedict Wong joined the cast.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/the-dog-stars-adds-benedict-wong-1236389387/|title=Benedict Wong Joins Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Grobar|first=Matt |access-date=May 11, 2025 |date=May 8, 2025}}

=Filming=

Principal photography began in Italy in April 2025.{{cite web |last=Sardelli |first=Monica |title='The Dog Stars' di Ridley Scott. Location in Friuli, Abruzzo, Veneto e Cinecittà |url=https://www.italyformovies.it/news/detail/2550/the-dog-stars-di-ridley-scott-location-in-friuli-abruzzo-veneto-e-cinecitta |website=Italy for Movies |access-date=29 April 2025 |language=it |date=28 April 2025}} Filming is scheduled to take place in Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Abruzzo, and Cinecittà Studios in Rome.{{cite web |last=Corallo |first=Fabrizio |title=Ridley Scott è in Italia per dirigere "The Dog Stars" |url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2025/04/26/ridley-scott-e-in-italia-per-dirigere-the-dog-stars/7965440/ |url-access=subscription |website=Il Fatto Quotidiano |access-date=29 April 2025 |language=it |date=26 April 2025}} In May, filming is scheduled to take place in Cansiglio, Ovindoli and Avezzano.{{cite web |last=D'Ascenzo |first=Sara |title=Cinema, il Cansiglio diventa set del kolossal di Ridley Scott: sentieri off limits e 500 comparse |url=https://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/notizie/belluno/cronaca/25_aprile_18/cinema-il-cansiglio-diventa-set-del-kolossal-di-ridley-scott-sentieri-off-limits-e-500-comparse-4564d55f-483b-4da5-bbe1-57d51f1a0xlk.shtml |website=Corriere della Sera |access-date=29 April 2025 |language=it |date=18 April 2025}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-24 |last=Ciciotti |first=Alessandra |title=Avezzano città post apocalittica, iniziate le riprese del film di Ridley Scott (foto) |url=https://marsicalive.it/avezzano-citta-post-apocalittica-iniziate-le-riprese-del-film-di-ridley-scott-foto/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Marsica Live |language=it}}

Release

The Dog Stars is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 27, 2026.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=May 22, 2025 |title=Disney Pushes Next Two 'Avengers' Movies; Dates 'The Dog Stars' & 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/next-avengers-movies-push-release-dates-dog-stars-devil-wears-prada-1236409088/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522230719/https://deadline.com/2025/05/next-avengers-movies-push-release-dates-dog-stars-devil-wears-prada-1236409088/ |archive-date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=May 22, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}