Colorado author Peter Heller’s debut novel The Dog Stars is being transformed into a major Hollywood movie, set to premiere this summer. This adaptation, driven by the focus keyword Ridley Scott Dog Stars, unfolds with an $110 million budget under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott, featuring Oscar-winning and nominated actors including Jacob Elordi and Guy Pearce.
A Star-Studded Team Brings a Colorado Tale to the Big Screen
The film adaptation of Peter Heller’s 2012 novel The Dog Stars follows Hig, a Colorado pilot, and his dog Jasper navigating a post-apocalyptic world after receiving a mysterious radio transmission at an abandoned airstrip. This story has attracted a remarkable cast led by Jacob Elordi, known for his Oscar-nominated role in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, along with Guy Pearce, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Benedict Wong.
Ridley Scott, the Academy Award-winning director behind classics like Blade Runner and Napoleon, helms the project, which 20th Century Pictures will release on August 28. Scott’s involvement greatly influenced the film’s scale and star power, ensuring a faithful and dynamic adaptation.
Author Peter Heller’s Close Collaboration on Set
Peter Heller, a New York Times bestselling author known for works such as Burn, The Orchard, and The Painter, has been deeply involved in the film’s development. Having experienced national acclaim through placements in Oprah’s Book Club and widespread media attention, Heller embraced the adaptation process enthusiastically.
During a July visit to the movie set near Rome, Heller spent three days engaging with the 200-plus cast and crew, many of whom had read The Dog Stars in English or its Italian translation, supplied by Ridley Scott who stocked their hotel lobbies with hundreds of copies.
It was all of the crew, even the animal handlers,
Heller recalled in a phone interview from Mexico, where he splits his time between living and surfing.
I was there a whole three days when Guy Pearce came out of his trailer and grabbed me and said, ‘I loved the book! Great to meet you.’ And he had just gotten an Academy Award! Same (reaction) with Jacob Elordi (who plays protagonist Hig). Same with the costume designer, Janty Yates, who has three Oscars.
Heller pointed out these encounters not to boast but to highlight the unusual closeness between author and film team. Unlike many writers who are excluded or distanced during adaptations due to their protective feelings about plot, character, or setting changes, Heller remained both involved and understanding.
As an executive producer on the film, Heller found himself better integrated and prepared to embrace changes.
I don’t expect it to be rendered perfectly as a book on the screen. I’m just really honored and excited that another great artist is inspired to craft a new and discrete work of art,
he said.
A lot of writers don’t go into it with that approach, but I saved myself a lot of heartache that way. It’s angst-free.
The Casting Journey and Behind the Scenes Secrets
The project’s casting has evolved since the novel was optioned in 2018, initially with Channing Tatum attached and later Paul Mescal, who recently collaborated with Scott on Gladiator II. Securing Jacob Elordi as the lead marks a significant win for the production, given his rising reputation and recent Oscar nomination.
Jacob Elordi reportedly bonded strongly with Heller over shared interests in film history, enhancing their collaboration. The screenplay was penned by Mark L. Smith, whose celebrated work includes The Revenant and Twisters. Smith, who grew up on a large dude ranch in Colorado, brought an authentic understanding of the novel’s setting and tone.
I loved ‘The Revenant’ because the landscape is a major character, and it’s that way in a lot of my books, too,
Heller said.
So I said, ‘Of course, I’d be honored if you take a crack at it.’ And he wrote the screenplay in three months.
Smith’s screenplay gained the attention of Ridley Scott, who then finalized the project with the $110 million-plus budget. While faithful to the book’s spirit, the film was shot in Italy, selected as a versatile stand-in location for Colorado’s rugged landscapes.
Filming Locations and Production Insights
Key scenes, such as those set at the abandoned Erie airstrip, were filmed in the Dolemite Mountains in Italy. During Heller’s visit, a provincial park about 90 minutes north of Rome served as a convincing stand-in for Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau, merging grand scale with detailed artistry.
At 86, Ridley Scott directs from a production tent brimming with monitors, adapting to his mobility challenges by avoiding moving around the set. He manages up to eight cameras running simultaneously, ensuring all angles are impeccably framed, with no visible crew or equipment.
Heller was granted exclusive access to Scott’s production tent, observing filming close up. Scott shared stories about the adaptation and praised the novel, reassuring Heller that his work was being respected and thoughtfully translated to film.
There’s this scene where we’re filming in a little cabin in a wooded meadow, and Jacob Elordi’s character says to Guy Pearce, ‘Thanks for not killing me,’
Heller described. “As a gesture of goodwill, he picks up a pot of wildflowers and puts it under a drip in the ceiling. And then he starts talking about how he got there, and how his wife died in the pandemic, and his dog Jasper, and I just started to cry.
It was so moving to see this scene that I had written come to life,
Heller added.
Cliff (Roberts, one of the film’s producers) just squeezed my arm and said, ‘This is the response I wanted you to have.’ It was just so friggin’ cool.
Anticipation Builds as Release Date Approaches
As the August 28 release date nears, the film has maintained a tight lid on images and details, sparking curiosity and excitement. Industry trade magazines have followed the project closely throughout 2024, but wider public awareness is growing only now as the studio initiates its marketing campaign.
With the involvement of Ridley Scott, Jacob Elordi, and a skilled supporting cast and crew, The Dog Stars is poised to become a significant addition to post-apocalyptic cinema and Colorado-themed storytelling. The film’s blend of sweeping landscapes, personal drama, and intense emotional moments promises to resonate with audiences both familiar and new to the source material.
The collaboration between an accomplished director, a passionate author, and a talented ensemble suggests that the cinematic version will honor the spirit of Heller’s novel while forging a distinct artistic identity of its own.
