Ridley Scott’s upcoming film The Dog Stars has been in development for a while, but it officially has a release date now and seems to be almost finished. The Dog Stars will be released in 2026 and follows an ambitious pilot who roams a post-apocalyptic landscape after a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly virus wipes out the majority of humanity. The film is based on Peter Heller’s acclaimed sci-fi novel of the same name and stars Jacob Elordi in the lead role following Paul Mescal’s exit from the project last year.

Speaking with Screen Rant, director Ridley Scott has explained that while Elordi wasn’t his first choice for the role, he was inspired to cast him after watching his performance in Saltburn. Emerald Fennell’s 2023 drama follows two university students who develop an unconventional friendship despite their different backgrounds, exploring themes of parasocial obsession and classism. Check out Scott’s comments on Elordi’s previous performance below:

EXCLUSIVE: “Jacob is a great, interesting character who I noticed, really in Saltburn. I kind of liked the film a lot. I like the whole thing. The whole production was kind of ambitiously intellectual, but it got me. I loved the whole thing. So, Jake was very watchable, and so was the Irish kid [Barry Keoghan]. It was very interesting.”

What This Means For Jacob Elordi’s Role In The Dog Stars

The Actor Was Clearly Picked For His Merits

The fact that Saltburn was the project to catch Scott’s attention suggests there may be some similarities between Elordi’s role in that film and his upcoming turn in The Dog Stars. There’s something very mysterious about Elordi’s performance in Saltburn, as the audience is never quite sure exactly what he’s thinking or what his ulterior motives could be. That’s a key feature of the story, as Fennell constantly used his character to subvert expectations and keep the audience on their toes, so it’s possible that Ridley Scott’s upcoming movie will employ the actor to a similar effect.

Elordi will reportedly be playing the character of Hig in The Dog Stars, the protagonist who wanders the desolate post-apocalyptic landscapes with his pet dog and his close friend. Other members of The Dog Stars‘ cast have been announced in recent months, with actors such as Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley both appearing in the ensemble. If Scott manages to pull another excellent performance from Elordi in the same vein as Saltburn, his project could stand out as a highlight of his recent filmography.

Our Take On Jacob Elordi’s Role In The Dog Stars

The Actor Could Be A True Standout Of This Stacked Cast

Scott being so eager to cast Elordi in his upcoming thriller is an excellent sign. It shows that he’s a true fit for the role, as he wasn’t just selected by the studio because of his popularity but rather sought out by the director on the grounds of his talent. Scott spoke very highly of The Dog Stars‘ cast to Screen Rant, calling Margaret Qualley “super duper” and boasting that his entire ensemble “are going to be stars.” It seems like the director has something very special on his hands, and if Elordi’s role is anywhere near as subversive as Saltburn, the actor may even find himself in awards contention by the end of the year.