The Dog Stars earns $8M in US opening weekend

Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic film, ‘The Dog Stars,’ earned $8 million during its North American opening weekend, placing fifth at the domestic box office. The performance falls significantly short of the film’s $80 million production budget.

Speculation regarding the film’s underperformance has surfaced, including theories about casting changes. While Jacob Elordi stars in the final version, the lead role was originally intended for Paul Mescal. Some reports suggest Ridley Scott may have blamed Mescal’s performance in ‘Gladiator II’ for its underperformance, though Scott’s representatives have denied these claims, stating he remains excited to work with the actor.

Audience reception has been mixed, with some viewers criticizing the plot and direction. The film faced competition from ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ and ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ during its debut.