Ridley Scott, known for his sweeping cinematic achievements, is preparing for his much-anticipated foray into Western territory, marking another milestone among his diverse upcoming movie projects. In a recent interview, Scott discussed his drive to finally bring a Western to the screen, alongside hints about potential pirate and musical films, further expanding his extensive directorial legacy.
Scott’s Determination to Make a Western Film
Throughout his career, Ridley Scott has been persistent in his quest to direct a Western, and he now appears closer than ever to realizing that ambition. While Scott previously attempted to adapt Cormac McCarthy’s “Blood Meridian,” a project that eventually went to John Hillcoat, he has recently secured the rights to a different, yet unnamed, Western script based on a novel. Scott emphasized how he waited for the right script, demonstrating his commitment to quality storytelling and patience in the face of industry hesitation.
“If they’re good enough, and you know it’s not the moment because everyone’s afraid of it, you keep it sitting, waiting, and then come back. So, I have a Western, which is the best Western I’ve ever read. It was on a shelf of an author who had died. It’s from his estate. We tracked it. I bought the script, so I own it, and the moment will come to make it. So, I still have to do a musical. I still have to do a pirate movie. I still have to do a Western,”
—Ridley Scott, Director
Though Scott did not reveal the book’s title, he made it clear his enthusiasm for the project remains undiminished. He also hinted at his ongoing desire to make a musical and a pirate movie, underlining his readiness to tackle genres he has yet to explore.
Expanding Slate of Upcoming Projects
Besides his interest in a Western, Scott is working on the post-apocalyptic science fiction film “The Dog Stars,” which is based on Peter Heller’s novel and is currently in production at 20th Century Studios. Set for release on March 27, 2026, “The Dog Stars” features a star-studded cast including Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong. The project represents Scott’s ongoing commitment to genre-spanning storytelling and marks another ambitious collaboration for his production company, Scott Free.
Additionally, Scott is attached to direct a Bee Gees biopic at Paramount Pictures, which is expected to be a significant addition to his repertoire. Even as he continues adding new stories to his filmography, Scott indicated that he might be stepping back from his long-standing work on the “Alien” franchise, leaving the fate of his potential third prequel, “Alien: Awakening,” uncertain. Through his company, Scott Free, he continues to influence the direction of the franchise as producer.
Challenges Behind Realizing Announced Projects
While the possibility of Scott directing a Western, a pirate film, and a musical excites both fans and industry insiders, his history includes several major projects that never reached full production. These include a planned Merlin origin story for Disney and a Monopoly board game-inspired movie. The director’s tendency to move quickly between projects, regardless of genre or subject, adds unpredictability to the likelihood of any specific film coming to fruition—including his latest Western acquisition.
Nonetheless, with Scott’s reputation for assembling his movies with impressive speed, it’s likely that news about his planned Western could emerge soon, offering fans a closer look into what he has described as the best Western script he has ever read.
The Legacy and Future of Ridley Scott’s Filmmaking
Ridley Scott’s ability to continuously develop ambitious projects, even well into a career spanning decades, underscores his unique position in the industry. As audiences await further updates on his upcoming Western and other new movie projects, Scott’s body of work remains a testament to his creative drive and willingness to take risks within multiple film genres. With actors like Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, Jacob Elordi, and Margaret Qualley involved in his latest ventures, and with major studios such as 20th Century Studios and Paramount Pictures backing his efforts, the impact of his films continues to shape the cinematic landscape.
As the director prepares to embark on these new challenges, including his anticipated Western, Scott’s legacy as an innovative filmmaker looks set to expand, offering fresh experiences for moviegoers and continuing to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
