Legendary Director Ridley Scott Demands His Oscar: "It's About Time!"

Ridley Scott, widely recognized as one of the greatest and most visionary filmmakers in history, is celebrated for his ability to direct a diverse range of genres, from intimate dramas to epic action films, encompassing science fiction and war narratives. Despite his extensive career and significant impact on global cinema, Scott has never won a competitive Academy Award. However, this long-standing anomaly is set to change, as the filmmaker, at 89 years old, will finally receive an Honorary Academy Award at this year’s Governors Awards.

Scott has been nominated for a competitive Academy Award on four occasions. He received three Best Director nominations for his work on the critically acclaimed films Thelma & Louise (1991), Gladiator (2000), and Black Hawk Down (2001). Additionally, he secured a fourth nomination as a producer when The Martian (2015) was a contender for Best Picture. Notably, Gladiator famously won Best Picture in 2001, but Scott personally lost the directing prize to Steven Soderbergh for Traffic. Speaking exclusively with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Scott candidly expressed his feelings about this overdue recognition, remarking, “It is about fucking time.”

The Academy announced in June that Scott would be honored at the 17th Governors Awards on November 15, alongside esteemed actor Glenn Close and legendary animator Floyd Norman. Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler are also slated to receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor lauded Scott, describing him as “a true visionary whose decades-long legacy has left an immeasurable impact on global cinema and culture,” underscoring the profound significance of this recognition for the celebrated director.

In addition to this prestigious honor, Ridley Scott is set to release his newest film, The Dog Stars. This cinematic endeavor is an adaptation of Peter Heller’s 2012 post-apocalyptic novel of the same name. The film delves into a brutal, post-apocalyptic world, a setting characteristic of Scott’s established proficiency in the science fiction genre.

The cast for The Dog Stars features Jacob Elordi from Euphoria in the lead role as Hig, a young pilot. He is joined by Josh Brolin as Bangley, a military survivalist with whom Hig has established an isolated homestead. The narrative unfolds as a mysterious radio transmission prompts Hig to embark on a perilous journey into the unknown, driven by a persistent belief in hope and humanity. Margaret Qualley, known for The Substance, stars as Cima, with Guy Pearce from The Brutalist playing her father, and Benedict Wong of Doctor Strange fame portraying Aaron.

The Dog Stars is categorized as a Science Fiction Adventure Thriller. The film has a runtime of 119 minutes and is scheduled for release on August 28, 2026. This upcoming project further solidifies Scott's ongoing contributions to diverse storytelling within the film industry.