AceShowbiz - Fresh off their collaboration on "Gladiator II", renowned actor Paul Mescal and iconic filmmaker Ridley Scott are set to reunite for an exhilarating new project. The dynamic duo will tackle "The Dog Stars," a post-apocalyptic thriller based on Peter Heller's 2012 novel of the same name.

In "The Dog Stars," which is being adapted for the big screen by Mark L. Smith, Mescal is in advanced negotiations to play a civilian pilot leading a solitary existence on an abandoned airbase in Colorado. He is accompanied only by his dog and a tough ex-Marine.

This narrative unfolds in a grim near future where an unnamed pandemic has decimated society. Despite their differences, the two men must rely on each other to fend off wandering invaders. Their lives take a dramatic turn when a fragmented radio transmission from the pilot's 1956 Cessna ignites hope for a better life beyond their controlled perimeter.

Reflecting on his experiences with Mescal, Scott was quoted in The New York Times, saying, "Paul is very smart, so all he's got to do is get over the scale of what I'm going to walk him into. When I walked him onto the set of Rome in Malta, I said, 'You'll get over this in two hours. This is all for you, this is all for me. Let's go and make this together.' That was it. Part of my job is to make light of it."

The film will be produced by Scott's company, Scott Free, alongside Michael Pruss, Smith, and Cliff Roberts, with the backing of 20th Century Studios and Steve Asbell. Production is scheduled to begin in 2025, after Mescal completes his commitments, including a role in an untitled Bee Gees movie and his stint on Broadway in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

In "Gladiator II," Mescal takes on the role of Lucius Verus II, the grown-up nephew of Emperor Commodus, originally played by Joaquin Phoenix. Mescal's character, who has returned to Rome enslaved, seeks not only revenge and power but also to restore Rome's former glory.

As "Gladiator II" approaches its release, excitement for "The Dog Stars" builds, with fans eager to see how Scott and Mescal will immerse audiences in yet another gripping post-apocalyptic landscape. With the combination of Scott's visionary direction and Mescal's compelling performance, "The Dog Stars" is shaping up to be a must-watch thriller.