Ridley Scott is returning to the science fiction genre with "The Dog Stars", a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi, which is now scheduled for release on 28 August 2026. The film will land in cinemas on the same day as Netflix's "The Whisper Man", a major horror thriller heading straight to streaming, setting up an unusual clash between a theatrical sci-fi release and a high-profile streaming debut. It marks Scott's first sci-fi feature since 2017's "Alien: Covenant" and comes after a relatively quiet spell for the director, whose only 2025 directing credit was a single episode of the now-cancelled Apple TV series "Dope Thief".

"The Dog Stars" was originally due out in March 2026 but was delayed to August to allow extra time for post-production. Its clash with "The Whisper Man" has raised questions about how the simultaneous release might affect its box office performance, particularly as Scott is seen as overdue for a commercial hit following the mixed reception of recent films such as "Gladiator II", which was notably marked by Russell Crowe's absence and his public criticism of being excluded.