Following Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott intends to transport Paul Mescal into an apocalyptic scenario.
Ridley Scott, nearly 90 years old, continues to be relentless in his work. He's on the brink of launching Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to one of his most celebrated films, and initially planned to follow it with a movie based on the legendary 1970s band, the Bee Gees. However, Scott has opted to produce an additional film first, set in the apocalypse, and he's doing so with his latest Gladiator cast member.
Deadline reports that Ridley Scott is reuniting with Paul Mescal for a film adaptation of Peter Heller's book, The Dog Stars, under 20th Century Fox. The story unfolds after a lethal virus has decimated humanity, leaving behind two unexpected survivors: a civilian pilot and an ex-Marine. They share their existence with a dog and one day, they detect an enigmatic radio signal that carries a hint of hope. Motivated by this possibility, they venture beyond their safe zone to unravel the mystery.
According to industry sources, Scott chose The Dog Stars primarily due to Mescal's availability in early 2022, following his brief run in Broadway's A Streetcar Named Desire. Mark L. Smith, co-writer of The Revenant and the successful Twisters, was assigned to adapt Heller's novel.
The Dog Stars went on to win numerous accolades, and given Scott's directing, this adaptation comes as no surprise. The book's quality is commendable, as one would expect from the mastermind behind Blade Runner and Alien. At 86, Scott still demonstrates the same zeal and vision he had when creating these iconic films half a century ago. Throughout his recent career, he has directed Gladiator II, produced one of his largest films ever with Napoleon, revisited the Alien series with Covenant and Prometheus, and adapted another remarkable sci-fi novel, The Martian. Having achieved all these feats, it's no wonder that Scott can casually delve into a post-apocalyptic drama before taking on the musical legacy of "Staying' Alive," while also (developing new Alien projects and other undisclosed ventures).
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In the future of cinema, Ridley Scott's new project, inspired by Peter Heller's book "The Dog Stars," promises to explore technology and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. This innovative film, filled with suspense and hope, is set to captivate audiences on the big screen, much like Ian MacDonald's "Deadline" has been doing with its sci-fi and pop culture news, including updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who.
