- Paul Mescal was set to reunite with Sir Ridley Scott in the director’s next project, The Dog Stars
- But thanks to scheduling conflicts, sources say that Mescal will now be replaced by Jacob Elordi
- Scott all but confirmed the change in cast is due to Mescal taking on the role of Paul McCartney in a new series of Beatles biopics
Paul Mescal is quickly becoming one of the industry’s most booked and busy actors.
So much so that the Irish star, 28, is apparently unable to take on the lead role in Sir Ridley Scott’s next movie.
Back in November, it was reported that Mescal would appear in Scott’s adaptation of the novel, The Dog Stars.
However, due to scheduling issues with another project, the Normal People star – who worked with Scott, 87, on Gladiator II – will reportedly be replaced by Saltburn actor, Jacob Elordi.
Why has Paul Mescal been replaced in The Dog Stars?
Well quite simply, Mescal has far too much on his plate – and his schedule has clashed with an upcoming series of biopics about The Beatles.
While he is yet to confirm the news himself, it has been speculated that Mescal will play Paul McCartney in the Sam Mendes-directed films – which Scott all but revealed on stage.
During a conversation with fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on December 10, Scott said that he plans for his next project to be the thriller feature The Dog Stars.
When Nolan questioned him about Mescal’s role in the movie – as this had already been reported – Scott said that the actor is set to work with him.
But Scott then corrected himself, and explained that Mescal’s hectic schedule may prevent the pair from reuniting on the new film – as the actor is set to take on the role of bassist McCartney.
“Yes,” Scott said in response to the question about whether Mescal would star in The Dog Stars. He then added, “Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
While fans will lament the loss of Mescal from the movie, Scott may have the same trouble with Elordi.
The actor, 27, will film both the final season of HBO’s Euphoria and the Emerald Fennell-directed adaptation of Wuthering Heights in the first quarter of this year – which is when Scott is said to be hoping to start shooting.
What is The Dog Stars about?
Based on Peter Heller’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel, sources say that Elordi is now in talks to play Hig, a widowed pilot and one of the few survivors in a world devastated by a global pandemic.
Set in post-pandemic Colorado, the story follows Hig as he leads a solitary existence in an airplane hangar – with only his dog and a gunman for company.
His quiet life is disrupted when he intercepts a mysterious transmission on his Cessna’s radio, sparking a journey to uncover its origin.
Alongside Scott as director, the screenplay will be written and produced by Mark L. Smith, who recently found success with Twisters.
Heller will also act as a producer, as well as his manager and producing partner, Cliff Roberts.
