Ridley Scott Fires Back at THE DOG STARS Backlash Over Book Change: “F*ck off!”
When Ridley Scott adapts a book into a film, there's a pretty good chance he's going to make it his own. That's exactly what's happening with The Dog Stars, his upcoming return to sci-fi, and one surprisingly small change has sparked a surprisingly loud reaction from fans of Peter Heller's novel.
The issue? The dog. Scott's adaptation of The Dog Stars has drawn criticism from readers because Hig's loyal companion, Jasper, has been changed from a Blue Heeler in the novel to a Belgian Malinois in the movie.
It might sound like a minor detail to casual audiences, but for fans of Heller's 2012 book, Jasper represents far more than just a pet. The dog is deeply tied to Hig's memories of the life he lost before civilization collapsed, making the breed change a sticking point for some readers.
Scott, however, isn't losing any sleep over the complaints. When Empire Magazine asked him about the criticism, the legendary filmmaker offered a response that was about as direct as you'd expect: "You know what the answer to that is, don’t you? F*ck off!"
That pretty much settles where Scott stands on the debate. One of the reasons the filmmaker was drawn to The Dog Stars in the first place is because it offers a different kind of sci-fi story than audiences usually associate with him.
Instead of massive worlds and sprawling spectacle, this is a more intimate, character-driven survival story set after a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity.
The film follows Hig, played by Jacob Elordi, who survives the collapse of civilization after losing his wife. Living with his dog and relying on his Cessna airplane, Hig struggles to stay alive while avoiding violent scavengers known as Reapers as he searches for hope in what's left of the world.
Getting The Dog Stars to the screen wasn't exactly smooth sailing, either. Elordi wasn't originally supposed to lead the film. The role first belonged to Paul Mescal, who reunited with Scott after working together on Gladiator II.
Scott explained: "I had a good time doing Glad II with Paul [Mescal], and from that, I thought it was going to be him. But then he got hooked on playing Paul McCartney, and I’m his friend, so I’m not going to complain. I’d had my eye on Jacob for a while anyway."
The production also nearly hit another major obstacle on day one of filming. Josh Brolin, who plays Bangley, admitted that Scott's preference for minimal rehearsal before shooting caught him completely off guard.
Brolin said the director's approach "bugged me out, and I got really scared." Thankfully, everyone stuck with it, and the film moved forward.
Alongside Elordi and Brolin, The Dog Stars also stars Margaret Qualley, bringing together a talented cast for what looks like a grounded post-apocalyptic drama that leans into emotion as much as survival.
As for the dog controversy, it'll probably keep book fans debating until the movie arrives. Some readers understandably get attached to the details that made them fall in love with a novel, while filmmakers often make changes they believe work better on screen.
I seriously doubt swapping Jasper's breed actually affects the emotional weight of the story. Either way, Scott has made it crystal clear he isn't interested in defending every creative decision to the internet.
What do you think? Is changing Jasper from a Blue Heeler to a Belgian Malinois a big deal?