It seems like Gladiator II has barely begun hitting screens, but Ridley Scott isn’t wasting time, and neither is Paul Mescal. The iconic director and the rising star are set to team up once more, this time for The Dog Stars – an apocalyptic thriller adapted by Mark L. Smith from Peter Heller’s cult-favourite novel.
According to Variety, Mescal is in the final stages of negotiations to star in the film, which sees Scott working alongside Steve Asbell and the team at 20th Century Studios. Mescal has sung Scott’s praises before, gushing about his experience on Gladiator II: “Ridley Scott is the master of making movies that keep you on the edge of your seat," he said. And it looks like we’ll be back on that edge soon. So, here's everything we know so far...
What is the film about?
The plot? Think of it as a buddy cop film crossed with a post-pandemic dystopia. Mescal is set to play a loner holed up on a desolate Colorado airbase with his trusty dog and a grizzled ex-Marine who’s more Rambo than rescue. Set in a near future where a mysterious pandemic has wiped out most of the U.S. population, the odd couple has to figure out how to coexist while fighting off intruders.
Just as they settle into their new normal, a faint radio signal crackles through the pilot’s 1956 Cessna. It’s a glimmer of hope, suggesting that life beyond their bleak bubble might actually exist. With nothing left to lose, our daring protagonist takes a leap of faith and soars past the point of no return.
Who is in the cast?
At this point, only Paul Mescal has been all-but-confirmed as part of the cast. We'll have to wait to see who else joins the project in the coming months.
When will the film be released?
While there’s no official release date yet, The Dog Stars already has us bracing for an epic mix of survival drama, bleak humour, and maybe a dog that steals the show. We'll keep you posted as we hear more.
