Sir Ridley Scott does not care about your traditional definitions of cinema, declaring flatly that he views himself as an influencer rather than a filmmaker. At 88 years old, the director behind films including Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and The Martian continues to work while promoting his latest project, an adaptation of Peter Heller’s 2012 novel The Dog Stars.
Redefining the Director’s Chair in a Changing Industry
Speaking to The Sunday Times Culture magazine, Scott laid out his philosophy. “Every time, you are vulnerable,” Scott said when asked to identify a through line in his work. “Also, I never want to repeat myself and all my films have been on the money. I’ve been ahead of the game frequently and, if you’re ahead of the game, you’re an influencer. So, I’m not a film-maker, I’m an influencer.”
Scott is one of the highest-grossing directors of all time. His mantel boasts two Golden Globes, two Emmys, alongside nominations for four Oscars, eight Baftas, and a Grammy. After making five films this decade, the director is looking ahead with an eclectic slate of ambitions.
“I’ve never done a western. I have cast Hugh Jackman for my Treasure Island adaptation. I want to do a musical and, also, have a marvellous film about the African elephant,” Scott revealed.
Taking Aim at Formulaic Hollywood Storytelling
Scott also used the press tour for The Dog Stars to cast a critical eye over modern cinematic trends. The director expressed frustration with the repetitive nature of contemporary screenplays.
“Look, everything now is about a murdered girl in the woods or an FBI agent who is better than anyone else – or a superhero. F*** me! There have to be other stories to tell,” Scott noted.
Scott turned his creative lens toward The Dog Stars, an action film. The film follows Hig, a pilot played by Jacob Elordi, who tries to stay alive alongside a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world after a virus wipes out most of humanity. The film also stars Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong.
Adapting Literature and Warning Modern Audiences
Explaining what initially drew him to the page, Scott emphasized the intrinsic rhythm of strong prose. Speaking at the world premiere in central London, he told the Press Association that “readers like music, and great writing is like great music. So, once I opened up that page with a good great writer, I listened to the music and I engaged.”
Beyond the cinematic adaptation, Scott offered a warning to modern audiences regarding the themes of the story. He urged viewers to pay close attention to the unfolding chaos on screen, drawing direct parallels to recent global anxieties.
“Be careful” and “watch out,” Scott cautioned, pointing out that the concept of the film is like a world where “you have Covid and then you have financial global collapse in 2008, but greedy banking, then you have something else. You have panic, chaos. Pay attention because it is kind of circling the wagon frame.”
The Ongoing Evolution of a Cinematic Icon
By shedding the conventional label of filmmaker for the mantle of an influencer, Scott reminds the cultural landscape that true artistic leadership requires constant reinvention. Whether he is steering historical epics, sci-fi futures, or dystopian survival tales, his focus remains fixed on pushing boundaries.
As The Dog Stars rolls out, the director shows no signs of slowing his pace. What do you make of Scott’s declaration, and which of his planned future projects—from his western to his upcoming musical—are you most eager to see materialize on the big screen?
