When I first heard word that a sequel to seminal 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner was seriously happening, I may have shed some geeky tears into my corn flakes (pro-tip: salty sadness is not a great condiment for cereal). But then came the news that the sequel was in fact going to be directed by Denis Villeneuve, the incredible French-Canadian filmmaker behind such recent cinematic masterpieces as Enemy, Prisoners and the upcoming, just as masterful looking Sicario (corn flakes tastes much better with a goofy grin).
With Villeneuve currently doing the press rounds for Sicario, CraveOnline took the opportunity to sit down with the director and discuss the still very secretive Blade Runner sequel. And while Villeneuve couldn’t really give away any plot details, he did describe how passionate he is about the project.
“It is by far one of my favorite movies of all time. As a huge Blade Runner fan I realized that [the new movie] makes sense.”
Along with news of Villeneuve taking the director’s chair, it was also revealed confirmed earlier in the year, after much hemming and hawing, that original star Harrison Ford would in fact return to reprise his role as the titular Blade Runner Rick Deckard. But just “how” Deckard returns has always been a point of much contention, with fans divided on the character’s ambiguous fate: Is Deckard also one of the artificial Replicants that he hunts, without even knowing it?
It’s a question that has been debated for decades (with even Ford and original director Ridley Scott disagreeing on it), but it looks like it will finally get some kind of answer. Just don’t expect it be too definitive though, as explaining everything to the very last detail could ruin some of the allure of the original film, which is something that Villeneuve definitely doesn’t want to see happen.
“Totally, the thing I must say is that I love mystery. I love shadows. I love doubts. I would just want to say to the fans that we will take care of that mystery. I will take care of it.”
Just don’t expect the director to “take care of it” right now in this interview though:
“[Laughs] Now that I am on the other side of the fence I cannot answer.”
The Blade Runner sequel is set to go into production mid-2016, with a script from Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green based on an idea by Fancher and Ridley Scott (who now only produces). It is believed that the story takes place several decades after events of the original film. Along with Ford, it’s been reported but not confirmed that Ryan Gosling is also in talks for an unspecified role.
Last Updated: September 15, 2015
Kromas untamed
September 15, 2015 at 11:35
Replicants I believe only lived a certain amount of years before they run out of juice and die. then again the dream sequence and the origami representation could mean that Deckard was one. Maybe an advanced model with a longer life span. Either way this movie better be good otherwise another childhood faveroute Harrison Ford character will be ruined forever. I still need to find a way to erase my memory of Crystal Skull.