Ridley Scott, the legendary filmmaker known for classics like Alien and Gladiator, has an exciting array of upcoming projects. Let’s dive into his ambitious film slate and what we can expect in the near future.
Ridley Scott’s Ambitious Film Slate
In a recent interview with Dazed Digital, the 87-year-old filmmaker Ridley Scott outlined an ambitious slate of projects. Having directed iconic films like Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Thelma & Louise, Scott shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s what we can expect from his upcoming films.
The Dog Stars
Scott has completed his next film, the post-apocalyptic sci-fi adaptation The Dog Stars. Filming took place in April and May 2025, and he wrapped principal photography in an impressive 34 days with cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt. Scott referred to it as “maybe” his best work.
He stated, “Every movie is a discovery of who you are, and making choices about actors. Before I speak to anybody, I look at everything they’ve done. I cast Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Josh Brolin. Frequently, the biggest thing I’m good at is casting. If they’re available, normally I get them.” The film is set to be released on March 27, 2026, according to Deadline.
Three Scripts Ready for Production
Scott revealed he has three completed screenplays ready for immediate production. First up is his long-gestating Bee Gees biopic, which he hopes will be his next directorial project. This film has faced significant delays due to a dispute with Paramount Pictures. In January 2025, Scott mentioned in a GQ interview that the studio “changed the goalposts” on his deal, leading to a temporary standoff. He remarked, “I said, ‘You can’t do that.’ They insisted. I said, ‘Well, I’m going to warn you, I will walk, because I will go on to the next movie.’ They didn’t believe me, and I did.” It appears that the production issues have now been resolved.
Scott plans to shoot the western Freewalkers next year, which was also delayed due to scheduling conflicts. The third script is a World War I epic based on John Harris’ novel Covenant with Death. This marks the first time Scott has publicly mentioned this project, indicating it may be a more recent addition to his slate. He described it as “a marvellous narrative that I’ve never seen before in a war film. It’s funny and class-conscious, as it portrays miners mixing with middle-class men. You discover: one guy dies, just like anybody else.”
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Other Projects in Development
Scott described Gladiator III as being in a “conference room” stage. He also expressed interest in making a pirate movie with Jacob Elordi. Beyond these confirmed films, Scott has several other projects in various stages of development, including Battle of Britain (a World War II film that has been in the works since 2017), the spy movie Queen & Country, and Bomb.
Scott’s film slate is indeed ambitious, showcasing his ability to sustain a long career in Hollywood. Rather than being pigeonholed into one genre, he maintains projects across multiple categories, including historical epics, sci-fi, biopics, war films, and thrillers. His flexibility and readiness to keep multiple scripts prepared allow him to pivot quickly when one project falters, as seen in his swift transition from the stalled Bee Gees biopic to The Dog Stars. He works efficiently, not allowing delays or disagreements to hinder his progress.
While we may not need to be as dramatic, keeping several projects in motion can prevent hyper-fixation on a problematic script or a project lacking funding. Keep moving forward and let Ridley Scott inspire your creative journey.
