Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ First Clip Released Ahead of August 28 Premiere

Ridley Scott has long been recognized as a master of crafting bleak, unforgiving futures, from the neon-drenched dystopia of ‘Blade Runner’ to the survivalist grit of ‘The Martian.’ His latest foray into post-apocalyptic storytelling feels both familiar and refreshingly different.

Excitement for this new chapter in Scott’s career has been steadily building since the initial casting announcements, driven by a star-studded cast and a source novel with a dedicated fanbase. With the film’s release just weeks away, fans can finally catch a glimpse of what’s in store.

DiscussingFilm has shared the first clip from ‘The Dog Stars,’ Scott’s upcoming post-apocalyptic thriller featuring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin, courtesy of Fandango.

The clip features Elordi’s character Hig reflecting on life before the apocalypse and his first encounter with Qualley’s character Cima, establishing an immediate bond despite the dangers surrounding them.

Set against a devastated Colorado backdrop, the film follows a survivor on a quest to trace the origin of a mysterious radio signal that pierces the silence of his abandoned world. Based on Peter Heller’s acclaimed 2012 novel, the screenplay is penned by Mark L. Smith, known for his work on ‘The Revenant’ and ‘Twisters.’

Elordi portrays Hig, a civilian pilot who lost his wife to a devastating pandemic and now leads a solitary life on an abandoned airbase with his loyal dog and Brolin’s character Bangley, a tough, enigmatic ex-Marine. When a random radio transmission crackles through his vintage Cessna, Hig is compelled to risk everything to pursue the signal and the hope it represents.

Qualley plays Cima, a medic who, according to earlier reports, has “no one to heal” in the isolated world they inhabit. Guy Pearce also stars as Cima’s stoic and protective father, who is wary of outsiders due to the dangers posed by unknown survivors in their fractured society. The cast also includes Benedict Wong and Allison Janney in supporting roles.

In an interview with Esquire, Scott emphasized that despite his history with dystopian narratives, ‘The Dog Stars’ adopts a notably different emotional tone compared to works like ‘Blade Runner.’ “I think people will be surprised and engaged actually. I would say, hmm… charmed as well,” Scott remarked, while acknowledging that the film does not completely shy away from violence.

The production journey faced some bumps as well. Paul Mescal was initially set to lead the film after collaborating with Scott on ‘Gladiator II,’ but he departed the project in early 2025 due to scheduling conflicts with Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic, allowing Elordi to take on the role.

With ‘The Dog Stars’ scheduled for release in theaters on August 28 via 20th Century Studios, this first clip provides audiences with a compelling glimpse into the human connection at the core of Scott’s latest apocalyptic vision.

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