Ridley Scott, renowned for the iconic “Alien” franchise, is making his return to cinemas with his adaptation of Peter Heller’s bestselling novel, “The Dog Stars.” The British director, who is 88 years old, returns to the science fiction genre after nearly a decade with a dystopian thriller titled “Constelația câinelui” in Romania, which he describes as a film that conveys a message of hope, according to reports.
Jacob Elordi, known for his role in HBO’s “Euphoria,” stars as Hig, a mechanic who survives a pandemic that has devastated much of humanity, including his wife. He hides in an abandoned airport in Erie, Colorado, accompanied by his dog and former soldier Bangley, played by Josh Brolin, who has appeared in films such as “No Country for Old Men,” “Dune,” and “Avengers.”
Hig frequently sets out in an old yellow Cessna airplane, searching for other survivors and supplies. When he picks up a mysterious radio transmission, he discovers a hideout in the mountains where he meets Cima (Margaret Qualley) and Pops (Guy Pearce), finding both tranquility and new challenges.
Scott Enthusiastic About the Script
Scott expressed his excitement for the project after receiving the script from screenwriter Mark L. Smith. He noted, “When I receive a science-fiction script that works on paper, I have to be cautious. I react intuitively, and halfway through a script like that, I start to sweat, fearing the writer might falter. He didn’t falter, so here we are,” said the veteran director, who attended the film’s world premiere in London on Thursday.
He added, “There have been so many zombie movies. This one has no zombies,” emphasizing his desire to incorporate optimism, which he deems “essential.”
The majority of “The Dog Stars” was filmed in Italy and crafted with multiple cameras.
Elordi Praises Scott’s Epic Vision
Elordi, who also stars in “Frankenstein,” remarked, “It was something grand. Ridley is the king of epic films, so everything was grand.” He enjoyed spending ample time outdoors and collaborating with his canine co-star, Rak Jasper.
He further explained, “Rak Jasper has an incredible team of trainers who did all the work, and I just had to be there with a snack in my pocket.”
Heller, the original author, did not impose any conditions for the film adaptation and was “amazed” by the final film. He stated, “Cinematography is an entirely different discipline; it has its own demands. The power of the message that we must keep our hearts open and take risks to love each other is present in the film, and that is the essence.”
Theatrical Release Date
“The Dog Stars” (“Constelația câinelui”) is slated to hit theaters in Romania and globally on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. There is a possibility that the film will also be available for streaming later on. 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of Disney, has typically released its productions on the streaming platform Disney+ after their theatrical run.
Officially, the company has not yet announced a release date for streaming, but it generally takes between 45 to 90 days following the cinema debut.
