Academy Award-nominated director Ridley Scott has shared his perspective on his decades-long career in cinema, describing his role in the industry as an “influencer” rather than solely a filmmaker while promoting his latest feature, The Dog Stars. Speaking in an interview with The Times of London, the 88-year-old filmmaker discussed his creative approach and legacy, noting that he consistently seeks to avoid repetition and remain ahead of cinematic trends. Scott stated,

Every time, you are vulnerable…Also, I never want to repeat myself and all my films have been on the money. I’ve been ahead of the game frequently and, if you’re ahead of the game, you’re an influencer. So I’m not a filmmaker, I’m an influencer.

Scott, whose career includes landmark titles such as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and The Martian, also addressed what he perceives as a lack of narrative variety in modern mainstream film development. Scott expressed frustration with repetitive studio formulas, remarking that standard projects often revolve around familiar tropes such as woodland murder investigations, elite FBI agents, or superhero storylines, arguing that the industry needs to explore a wider range of narratives. Discussing his future creative slate, Scott outlined several genres he plans to pursue. He noted that he intends to direct his first Western, develop a musical, helm a project focused on African elephants, and direct an adaptation of Treasure Island with Hugh Jackman attached.

Scott’s newest film, The Dog Stars, is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 post-apocalyptic novel and features an ensemble cast led by Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin. Additionally, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will honor Scott with an Honorary Oscar at the annual Governors Awards in November 2026, recognizing his lifetime contributions to the medium alongside fellow honorees Glenn Close and Floyd Norman.