Ridley Scott reveals the projects still missing from his career bucket list

Ridley Scott has offered an unusual description of his career, saying he considers himself an “influencer” rather than a filmmaker.

The three-time Oscar-nominated director made the comment during an interview with The Times of London, where he discussed the recurring themes and risks behind his work. Scott said he tries to avoid repeating himself and believes many of his films have been ahead of their time.

“Every time, you are vulnerable,” Scott said while discussing a common thread across his films. He added that being ahead of the game makes someone an influencer, leading him to conclude, “So I’m not a filmmaker, I’m an influencer.”

Scott’s influence on Hollywood spans several decades, with films including Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise and Gladiator becoming major works in cinema. Despite his extensive career, the director said he still has several projects he wants to pursue.

Scott revealed that he has never made a Western and is developing an adaptation of Treasure Island starring Hugh Jackman. He also expressed interest in directing a musical and making a film centred on the African elephant.

His next project is The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin. Scott praised Elordi as “a big star” and said the pair worked well together.

The director also explained that his interest in The Dog Stars was partly driven by what he sees as a lack of variety in Hollywood storytelling. Scott criticised the industry’s reliance on recurring plots involving murdered women, FBI agents and superheroes, arguing that filmmakers should explore different types of stories.

Scott is also set to receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November, alongside Glenn Close and Disney animator Floyd Norman.