Benedict Wong, known to many as the Master of the Mystic Arts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has officially signed on to star in Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, The Dog Stars.
This adaptation of Peter Heller’s 2012 novel already boasts a killer cast, including Jacob Elordi (fresh off Saltburn), Margaret Qualley (Maid), Josh Brolin (Outer Range), and Guy Pearce (Memento).
Filming is currently underway in Italy for this 20th Century Studios project. Initially, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal was slated for a role, but scheduling conflicts with his involvement in Sam Mendes’ Beatles anthology film series unfortunately prevented his participation. The screenplay for The Dog Stars comes from the writing duo of Mark L. Smith (The Revenant) and Christopher Wilkinson (Ali).
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Heller’s novel paints a bleak picture of a near-future America ravaged by a pandemic. The story centers on Hig (played by Elordi), a pilot living a solitary existence in an abandoned airport hangar in Colorado. His companions include his loyal dog, Jasper, and a volatile, gun-toting survivalist named Bangley (Brolin).
However, Hig’s isolated world is shaken when a faint transmission crackles through his 1956 Cessna’s radio. This unexpected voice ignites a spark of hope for a better life beyond their carefully guarded perimeter. Risking everything, Hig takes to the skies, following the static-filled signal into the unknown, where he discovers a reality both more promising and more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
Read more: ‘Squid Game’ Actress Won Ji-An to Star in North Korea Escape Drama ‘Pyongyang Home Video’
Wong’s addition to the cast marks a reunion with Ridley Scott, as the actor previously appeared in Scott’s films Prometheus (2012) and The Martian (2015). While details about Wong’s character in The Dog Stars are currently under wraps, his presence adds another layer of intrigue to an already anticipated project.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only upcoming film that will see Wong and Brolin share the screen. The pair are also part of the ensemble cast for Zach Cregger’s (director of Barbarian) highly anticipated horror mystery film, Weapons, set to hit theaters in August.
