Full Breakdown
Josh Brolin Nearly Quit Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” on Day One
7/2/2026, 2:36:25 PM
The Near-Exit: First-Day Tensions
On the opening day of filming “The Dog Stars,” actor Josh Brolin told *Empire* that director Ridley Scott’s unconventional, story-heavy approach left him “scared” and prompted an immediate request to leave. Brolin contacted his agent, describing the set as “something’s really wrong” and saying he needed to “get the f*ck out of here.” The agent suggested a brief pause, but Brolin insisted it was not a simple “day-thing.”
Prior Collaboration and Production Context
Brolin previously worked with Scott on the 2007 crime drama “American Gangster.” “The Dog Stars,” based on Peter Heller’s novel, follows a grief-stricken pilot (Jacob Elordi) and his dog in a pandemic-scarred American wilderness. Screenwriter Mark L. Smith (known for “The Revenant”) penned the script. Production is overseen by Scott Free president Michael Pruss, with Scott, Smith, and Cliff Roberts as producers. The film is slated to premiere on August 28, 2026.
Principal Players
- Josh Brolin – Ex-Marine Bangley.
- Ridley Scott – Director using a high-energy, multi-camera method.
- Jacob Elordi – Pilot co-star.
- Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong – Supporting cast.
- Mark L. Smith – Screenwriter.
- Michael Pruss – Scott Free president, producer.
- Cliff Roberts – Producer.
- Brolin’s agent – Close friend who advised a rest day.
Official Summary of the Incident
Brolin said Scott favored on-set storytelling over rehearsals, creating an unfamiliar atmosphere. After reviewing the day’s dailies, Brolin said he understood Scott’s vision and chose to stay. Scott later showed Brolin the completed scene in his trailer, reinforcing their collaboration.
Critical Perspective
Brolin’s remarks reveal tension between an actor’s expectation of rehearsed performance and a director’s improvisational style. Describing the set as “bugging me out,” he indicated a near-withdrawal, underscoring the difficulty of adapting to unconventional directing even for seasoned talent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ridley was talking a lot of stories and not really rehearsing, and it bugged me out, and I got really scared,” — Josh Brolin, *Empire*
- “I went back, called my agent and said, ‘I want out. Something’s really wrong, and I’ve got to get the f*ck out of here.'” — Josh Brolin, *Empire*
- “[Ridley] goes, ‘Come here,’ and he brought me into his trailer, and played the scene we had just finished,” — Josh Brolin, *Empire*
- “It was a really good, very dynamic scene between me and Jacob, and he goes, ‘Okay?’ I go, ‘Okay,’ and then I started to feed off that.” — Josh Brolin, *Empire*
Why It Matters
The episode shows how a director’s style can affect actor confidence and production flow on a high-profile film. Brolin’s near-exit and later acceptance after viewing dailies highlight the need for clear communication and flexibility in collaborative filmmaking.
Upcoming Release
“The Dog Stars” will debut on August 28, 2026, giving audiences a chance to evaluate the final product that survived an early-day set crisis.
