Ridley Scott's $100M Historical Epic Rises From Flop Status to Free Streaming Phenomenon 12 Years Later

Despite nearing 90 years old, legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott shows no signs of slowing down. He is set to release his newest sci-fi venture, "The Dog Stars," later this year. This post-apocalyptic film, an adaptation of Peter Heller's novel, has experienced a release date shift from March 27, 2026, to August 28, 2026. This adjustment is reportedly due to both a competitive spring market and exceptionally positive test screenings, leading to the decision that an August release would better capitalize on the movie's potential. "The Dog Stars" features a strong ensemble cast, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Guy Pearce, raising expectations for another critically acclaimed sci-fi work from Scott, though his career has also seen its share of disappointments.
One such disappointment was the 2014 biblical epic, "Exodus: Gods and Kings." Despite an ambitious $140 million budget and a star-studded cast, the film failed to impress critics, earning a low 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. The impressive cast included Christian Bale as Moses, Joel Edgerton as Ramses, Ben Kingsley as Nun, John Turturro as Seti, Aaron Paul as Joshua, Ben Mendelsohn as Viceroy Hegep, long-time Scott collaborator Sigourney Weaver as Tuya, and Indira Varma as the High Priestess.
Interestingly, "Exodus: Gods and Kings" has recently experienced a resurgence on streaming platforms. Before its departure on April 30, the film was one of the ten most-streamed movies in the U.S. on the free streamer Tubi. This achievement is notable, especially considering it faced stiff competition from popular titles like Sean Connery's "The Rock," a pair of "Predator" movies, and Martin Scorsese's gangster masterpiece "GoodFellas."
In a separate offering from Collider, an interactive "Action Hero Quiz" was presented, inviting users to discover their perfect partner from a lineup of five iconic legends: Rambo, James Bond, Indiana Jones, John McClane, and Ethan Hunt. The quiz guides participants through ten scenarios, asking about ideal partner traits in dangerous situations, travel preferences, reactions under fire, downtime activities, communication styles, approaches to villains, loyalty expectations, invaluable toolkit contributions, the costs of partnership, and needs during a final stand.
The quiz outcomes provided distinct profiles for each hero. Rambo is depicted as a quiet, fiercely loyal survivalist, a force of nature whose endurance is unmatched. James Bond is the epitome of professional danger, charming and strategic, navigating a world of layers with style. Indiana Jones combines a scholar's intellect with a brawler's instinct, offering irreplaceable historical and cultural knowledge despite a few personal quirks. John McClane stands out as an accidental hero, whose superpower is stubbornness and improvisation, always coming through in chaotic circumstances. Lastly, Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability, known for relentless precision and carrying the immense weight of impossible missions, requiring complete trust from his partners.
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