Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to star in The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott’s upcoming adaptation of Peter Heller’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel. According to Nexus Point News’ sources, Mescal is in talks for the role of Hig, a widowed pilot and one of the few survivors in a world devastated by a global pandemic.
Set in post-pandemic Colorado, the story follows Hig as he leads a solitary existence in an airplane hangar, with only his dog and a gruff gunman for company. His quiet life is disrupted when he intercepts a mysterious transmission on his Cessna’s radio, sparking a journey to uncover its origin.
Scott is directing a screenplay written by Mark L. Smith (Twisters, The Marsh King’s Daughter, The Revenant). Smith will produce with the novel’s author, Heller as well as his manager and producing partner, Cliff Roberts (The Midnight Sky, Emancipation).
Nexus Point has also learned exclusively that film is aiming to start production in Spring 2025.
Paul Mescal is best known for his roles as Harry in All of Us Strangers, Connell Waldron in Normal People which landed him an Emmy nomination, and Callum Patterson in Aftersun which brought in Best Actor nomination for the 2023 Academy Awards. Mescal is also expected to portray Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic
This also marks the second collaboration between Mescal and Scott, following Mescal’s role as Lucius in Scott’s highly anticipated Gladiator II, set to release on November 22.
This story is still developing.