The ‘Blade Runner’ sequel looks to be off to a great start! Not only has Harrison Ford been confirmed to reprise his role as Rick Deckard, but ‘Prisoners’ director Denis Villeneuve is currently in negotiations to direct the film.
According to the press release, ‘Blade Runner 2’ is slated to begin principle photography in the summer of 2016 (which still gives enough time for Ford to work on the second of the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ trilogy if he is even in it). The screenplay was co-written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green and is based off an idea by Ridley Scott and Fancher. If Fancher’s name seems familiar, it’s because he co-wrote the original ‘Blade Runner’ with David Peoples.
According to Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson:
“We are honored that Harrison is joining us on this journey with Denis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally on ‘Prisoners.” Hampton [Fancher] and Michael [Green], with Ridley Scott, have crafted a uniquely potent and faithful sequel to one of the most universally celebrated films of all time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this amazing, creative team.”
Not much is known about the sequel except that the story will take place several decades after the conclusion of the first film. In 2012, Scott did tease that in his first meetings with Fancher about the sequel, they had decided to have a female protagonist but as that was 2 years ago, and who knows if that is still the case. As for Ford’s role, in December Scott did state that in ‘Blade Runner 2’ “Harrison is very much part of this one, but really it’s about finding him; he comes in in the third act.” It does help to know that when given the script, Ford stated it was “the best thing he’s ever read.” (Which doesn’t give too much confidence about the script for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ does it?)
No word if Sean Young will also return to reprise her role as Rachel, but if no offer is given, she has stated she will boycott the film and has recommended that movie goers do so also.
Back in 1982 when ‘Blade Runner’ was first being developed, Scott and Fancher originally planned the film to be the first of a franchise. It appears that Alcon Entertainment is willing to take up the mantel and have plans of making both prequels and sequels to the film that is based off of Philip K Dick’s novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’
While no official release date has been given, if all goes well, we should be seeing ‘Blade Runner 2’ sometime in 2017.
