Irish actor Paul Mescal and director Ridley Scott are said to already be lining-up their next project, with the pair reportedly set to collaborate once again on upcoming post-apocalyptic adventure film The Dog Stars for 20th Century.
The news comes amidst the international launch of their debut collaboration Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel of director Ridley Scott’s 2000 hit films starring Russell Crowe, which opened last weekend and has already marked the biggest overseas opening for any Ridley Scott film ever – earning €82.5 million internationally.
To put this impressive figure in context, prior to this, The Martian (2015) was Scott’s highest grossing film and debuted at €51.5 million internationally. As well as this, according to Variety, Gladiator II’s international opening also marks Paramount Pictures highest international opening weekend for a 18s/R-rated film.
In Ireland, and in large part to the national attention around Mescal’s selection in the leading role, Gladiator II marks the widest ever release in the country for a Ridley Scott film, with Paramount Pictures running a major marketing campaign across the country. This, so far, has translated into one of the biggest opening weekends of the year with Gladiator II topping the Irish Box, grossing over €1.1 million.
With the US release due this Friday, November 22nd, the early indications internationally prove to be very promising for the film ahead of the long-awaited sequel debut in North America. The film’s reported net production cost were roughly €240 million, so attention will remain on the US opening to see if the film returns a profit.
In terms of their next project, multiple sources have said that Mescal is in advanced negotiations to join Ridley Scott’s next directing project, The Dog Stars, which his company Scott Free will produce for 20th Century.
Adapted from a Peter Heller novel by The Revenant writer Mark L Smith, The Dog Stars is said to be “set in a near-future America decimated by a pandemic and centres on a civilian pilot and an ex-marine living in an abandoned airbase”.
Gladiator II is currently in Irish cinemas nationwide.
