Scott's Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
Ridley Scott Returns to Sci-Fi with 'The Dog Stars,' a Post-Apocalyptic Thriller
Anonymous
Key Points
1
The final trailer confirms the behind‑the‑scenes lineup: screenplay by Mark L. Smith; producers Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts; with executive producers Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, and Aidan Elliott.
2
The Dog Stars is rated R by the MPAA for strong violence and language.
3
Ridley Scott has emphasized avoiding zombie tropes, stating, 'We’re doing too many end-of-the-world stories... This is not The Road. I did not want to do World War Z again; no zombies, please.'
4
Trailer highlights Hig’s pre‑apocalypse backstory, with one voiceover noting that before the world ended, he was kissing his wife and playing with his dog.
5
The film is set in Colorado after the pandemic, depicting a brutal post‑apocalyptic landscape where survivors roam a wasteland.
Ridley Scott is heading back to science fiction with The Dog Stars, and the final trailer is here to prove it. Hollywood Outbreak reports that 20th Century Studios has released the last look at the post-apocalyptic thriller, which opens August 28, 2026 in theaters, including IMAX and premium formats.
The film stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a young pilot, alongside Josh Brolin as a hard-edged military survivalist named Bangley. The story is set in Colorado after a deadly pandemic wipes out civilization. A mysterious radio transmission sends the two men searching for something worth surviving for.
Scott's Vision: Humanity Over Zombie Tropes
Scott has been clear about what The Dog Stars is not. 'We're doing too many end-of-the-world stories,' he said. 'This is not The Road. I did not want to do World War Z again — no zombies, please.' The director wants the film to focus on what makes people human, even when the world falls apart.
The trailer backs that up. One voiceover notes that before the world ended, Hig was kissing his wife and playing with his dog. The film is rated R by the MPAA for strong violence and language, according to Vital Thrills.
What the Final Trailer Actually Shows
The trailer opens on a scarred Colorado landscape. Survivors roam a brutal wasteland. Hig and Bangley are barely holding on. Then a radio signal crackles through — and everything changes. Dread Central describes the film's tone as 'kill or be killed,' with tense encounters between survivors driving the plot.
The clip also leans into Hig's backstory. His life before the pandemic — his wife, his dog, his small joys — is shown in contrast to the wreckage around him. That emotional pull appears to be central to the film's identity.
A Star-Packed Cast Built Around Elordi and Brolin
Beyond Elordi and Brolin, the cast includes Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce. The screenplay was written by Mark L. Smith, who also serves as a producer alongside Scott, Michael Pruss, and Cliff Roberts.
Executive producers include Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller — who wrote the original novel — and Aidan Elliott. Moviefone notes this is the third trailer released for the film, signaling a strong marketing push ahead of the August release.
Scott's Long-Awaited Return to Science Fiction
The Dog Stars marks Scott's first sci-fi project in years. His recent work has leaned into historical epics — Gladiator II and Napoleon both came before this. Returning to the genre where he made Alien and Blade Runner is a big deal for fans.
The film is based on Peter Heller's acclaimed 2012 novel of the same name. With IMAX screenings confirmed and multiple trailers building buzz, The Dog Stars is shaping up as one of the bigger genre films of summer 2026. August 28 is the date to watch.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
14
Articles
2
Reach
16
A
AnonymousAuthor