EXCLUSIVE: As they globally barnstorm their Paramount epic Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal will jump right back in the ring together. Scott has set as his next directorial outing The Dog Stars at 20th Century, with Paul Mescal in advance negotiations to star.

As “Gladiator II” barrels towards theaters, Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal are already set to re-team on a new project. Scott will direct “The Dog Stars” for 20th Century, with Mescal in advance negotiations to star.

Scott’s next film from 20th Century Studios is based on the Peter Heller thriller and will likely shoot next year.

“I’ve lit the fuse,” Scott said. “The ending of ‘Gladiator II’ is reminiscent of ‘The Godfather,’ with Michael Corleone finding himself with a job he didn’t want, and wondering, ‘Now, Father, what do I do?‘ So the next [film] will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is.”

"The Dog Stars" will be Ridley Scott's next film, working with Steve Asbell and the 20th Century Studios team, with "Gladiator 2" headliner Paul Mescal currently in advanced negotiations to star in the project,

Paul Mescal has been cast in Ridley Scott's next movie, The Dog Stars. Mescal will soon be seen playing Lucius Verus in Scott's Gladiator II, which releases in United States theaters on November 22, 2024,

Scott will look to shoot the film next fall after the "Gladiator II" actor finishes his run on Broadway in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

After dominating the arena with Gladiator II, RIdley Scott and Paul Mescal are getting the band back together for The Dog Stars