
Legendary director Ridley Scott and rising star Jacob Elordi are joining forces for a movie adaptation of the novel The Dog Stars. If you haven’t heard the news, here’s everything we currently know about this exciting new sci-fi film. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a flu pandemic.
Want to know more about the upcoming movie, featuring Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin, and based on Peter Heller’s novel? Join us as we share everything we know about The Dog Stars, including when it comes out, who’s in it, and what it’s about. It sounds like a really great film!
What Is The Dog Stars Release Date?

The release date for the post-apocalyptic thriller Dog Stars is set for August 28, 2026, according to Deadline. Originally planned for release in March 2026, Disney adjusted its schedule in December, leading to a change in plans for several films, including Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, They Will Kill You, and the new Pixar movie, Gatto.
The movie The Dog Stars is being released during a busy weekend at the end of the summer, along with Coyote vs. Acme and Cliffhanger. It looks like there will be plenty of new movies to see next summer!
The Dog Stars Cast

The upcoming film, The Dog Stars, is set to premiere before the end of next summer and features a cast full of famous Hollywood actors, including a major young star alongside Jacob Elordi. Here’s a look at the confirmed cast members, according to Variety:
- Jacob Elordi as Hig
- Margaret Qualley as Cima
- Josh Brolin
- Guy Pearce
- Benedict Wong
Currently, only the character names for Elordi and Qualley have been announced. We expect to learn who the other actors will be playing before the movie comes out. Interestingly, Paul Mescal, who has been nominated for a Golden Globe, was originally going to star in the film, but he had to withdraw in January 2025, according to Variety.
What Is The Dog Stars About?

What’s the story of The Dog Stars? It’s based on Peter Heller’s 2013 novel, but what actually happens in it?
The new sci-fi movie, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a pilot who lives on an abandoned airbase with his dog and a former Marine (Josh Brolin). Years after a devastating flu pandemic nearly wiped out humanity, the three spend their days in isolation until a strange signal suggests others might still be alive somewhere on the ruined planet.
In a June 2025 interview with Collider, Ridley Scott described the story’s overall feel, saying it would be closer in tone to his 2015 film, The Martian, rather than the more somber The Road.
This book is fantastic – I’d compare it to The Martian in how it balances straightforward storytelling with exciting drama. I wouldn’t recommend it if it wasn’t truly good, and it really is. It focuses on four characters navigating life after a global catastrophe. I often describe it as a story about surviving ‘the end of the world,’ but it’s different from The Road.
It’s possible The Dog Stars could be nominated for a Golden Globe next year in the Best Musical or Comedy category.
How To Read (Or Listen To) The Dog Stars Book

The film adaptation of The Dog Stars isn’t out for another eight months, giving you plenty of time to read Peter Heller’s 2013 novel beforehand. Luckily, there are many ways to get your hands on the popular book before the movie arrives.
The book is available in paperback from places like Amazon and bookstores, or you might find it at your local library to save money. If you’d rather listen than read – maybe while commuting, working out, or doing chores – audiobooks are also available.
Lots of books are adapted into movies and TV shows, and The Dog Stars is a fantastic choice to listen to beforehand. If you’re an Amazon subscriber, you can find it on Audible. Spotify Premium users can also enjoy the audiobook for free – your subscription includes 15 hours of listening time each month.
Ridley Scott Isn’t The Only Decorated Behind-The-Scenes Player Invovled With The Dog Stars

The upcoming Searchlight Pictures movie, Dog Stars, boasts a talented cast and is directed by the renowned Ridley Scott. However, the creative team extends beyond these well-known figures. Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson adapted the screenplay from Peter Heller’s novel. Though they may not be household names, both writers have established solid careers in the industry.
Smith recently wrote the 2024 film Twisters, suggesting a strong ability to handle action sequences. He’s also written the screenplays for recent films like The Revenant, The Boys in the Boat, and Overlord. Wilkinson’s previous work includes films such as Nixon, Ali, and Birth of the Dragon.
Award-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, known for his work on the film Mank, is handling the visuals for The Dog Stars. He’s collaborated with the director on previous projects, including the shows Raised by Wolves and Dope Thief.
Production On The Dog Stars Wrapped In June 2025

Ridley Scott recently shared in an interview that filming for the movie is nearly finished – they’re actually close to wrapping up! However, it will likely be a while before we see a first look at the film, as there’s still a lot of editing and other post-production work to be done over the coming weeks and months.
You’ll likely be hearing a lot more about The Dog Stars soon, particularly as more information about the plot and actors is revealed.
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2025-12-28 19:10