Jacob Elordi Stars in Ridley Scott's Post-Apocalyptic Thriller "The Dog Stars" Releasing This Month

Jacob Elordi plays pilot Hig in "The Dog Stars," a post-apocalyptic survival film directed by Ridley Scott and arriving August 28 through 20th Century Studios. The ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, and Allison Janney. Scott described the project as delivering "drama, fear, terror" in a way he has not previously explored.

Plot and Setting

The narrative unfolds in Colorado after a viral pandemic has eliminated most of humanity. Elordi's character, Hig, operates an old Cessna aircraft and maintains a solitary existence within an airplane hangar alongside his dog and a door gunner companion. When a cryptic radio transmission interrupts his routine flight, Hig becomes driven to investigate the signal's origin. The screenplay was written by Mark L. Smith, adapting Peter Heller's novel of the same name.

Margaret Qualley portrays Cima, whose relationship with Hig forms a central element of the narrative. Qualley explained that Hig functions as "a survivor despite having gone through true horror," offering her character significant emotional grounding. Josh Brolin takes on the role of Bangley, described as hypervigilant and constantly aware of imminent threats.

Director's Vision

Scott emphasized his intuitive casting approach, stating that he "never questioned Jacob and Josh, with Margaret and Guy Pearce," believing they were born for their respective roles. The director noted that the film's scope demands a theatrical viewing experience. Scott characterized the production as offering "a perfect storm" of competing emotional and narrative elements that distinguish it from his previous work across the science fiction, action, and historical drama genres.