Jacob Elordi in Talks to Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ — Report

Jacob Elordi just might be making his Ridley Scott debut: The actor is in talks to be replacing Paul Mescal in Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller “The Dog Stars,” based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel.

Mescal was originally set to have a “Gladiator II” reunion with director Scott for “The Dog Stars,” however, he had to exit after his casting as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ four-part Beatles biopic. Yet now Elordi is expected to take his place. Variety first reported the casting negotiations. IndieWire has reached out to representatives for comment.

“The Dog Stars” centers on a pilot named Hig (Elordi) who befriends an ex-Marine gunman while battling a band of scavengers called Reapers. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where an unnamed pandemic has decimated American society.

The screen adaptation was co-written by Mark L. Smith (“Twisters,” “The Revenant,” “The Boys in the Boat”) and Christopher Wilkinson (“Ali”). Smith and Cliff Roberts are producing “The Dog Stars,” along with Scott’s Scott Free production banner. Scott is expected to take on “The Dog Stars” after his Bee Gees biopic for Paramount, with Bee Gees frontman Barry Gibb executive producing. Scott also is set to helm action film “Bomb,” as well as produce a slew of features.

“The Dog Stars” was announced in 2024 at 20th Century Studios with Mescal in the lead role. Yet during a December 2024 “Gladiator II” panel with Christopher Nolan, Scott confirmed that Mescal would most likely have to step aside due to his other projects.

“Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next,” Scott said (via Variety). “So I may have to let him go.” Mescal and Scott are still expected to work together again, with Scott teasing a possible third “Gladiator” feature.

Meanwhile, Elordi is set to reprise his role as Nate in the third season of HBO’s “Euphoria,” and also will lead Emerald Fennell and Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Wuthering Heights” adaptation alongside Margot Robbie. Other projects include film “On Swift Horses” and series “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.”

Elordi will next appear in Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” as the monster — another replacement casting after Andrew Garfield exited the feature.