Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049
Official logo
Directed by	Denis Villeneuve
Produced by	Ridley Scott Broderick Johnson Andrew A. Kosove Cynthia Sikes Bud Yorkin
Screenplay by	Hampton Fancher Michael Green
Story by	Hampton Fancher Ridley Scott
Based on	Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Starring	Harrison Ford Ryan Gosling Robin Wright Dave Bautista Sylvia Hoeks Ana de Armas Carla Juri David Dastmalchian Barkhad Abdi Lennie James Jared Leto
Music by	Jóhann Jóhannsson
Cinematography	Roger Deakins
Edited by	Joe Walker
Production company	Alcon Entertainment Thunderbird Films Scott Free Productions
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures (North America) Columbia Pictures (International)
Release dates	October 6, 2017 (2017-10-06) (United States)
Country	United States
Language	English

Blade Runner 2049 is an upcoming 2017 American science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and co-produced by Ridley Scott, written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. It is the sequel to Blade Runner and sees Harrison Ford reprise his role as Rick Deckard. It is set for release on October 6, 2017 in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D. Alongside Ford, it will also star an ensemble cast including Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, Sylvia Hoeks, Ana de Armas, Carla Juri, David Dastmalchian, Barkhad Abdi, Lennie James and Jared Leto.

Cast

• Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard
• Ryan Gosling
• Robin Wright
• Dave Bautista
• Ana de Armas
• Sylvia Hoeks
• Carla Juri
• Mackenzie Davis
• Barkhad Abdi
• David Dastmalchian
• Hiam Abbass
• Lennie James
• Jared Leto

Production

Development

Development of a sequel to Blade Runner first began in 1999. Stuart Hazeldine had written a sequel to the film based on The Edge of Human, titled Blade Runner Down; however, the project was shelved due to issues concerning the rights to the novel.^[1] Scott considered developing a sequel, tentatively titled Metropolis, and again announced his interest in developing the project while attending the San Diego Comic Con.^[1][2] Eagle Eye co-writer Travis Wright worked with producer Bud Yorkin for several years on the project. His colleague John Glenn, who left the project by 2008, stated the script would explore the nature of the off-world colonies as well as what happens to the Tyrell Corporation in the wake of its founder's death.^[3]

In June 2009, The New York Times reported that Scott, along with his brother Tony Scott, were working on a Blade Runner prequel, set in 2019. The prequel, Purefold, was planned as a series of 5–10 minute shorts, aimed first at the web and then perhaps television. Due to rights issues the proposed series was not to be linked too closely to the characters or events of the 1982 film.^[4] On February 7, 2010, it was announced that production on Purefold had ceased, due to funding problems.^[5] On March 4, 2011, io9 reported that Yorkin was developing a new Blade Runner film.^[6] It was also reported that month that director Christopher Nolan was the desired choice to make the film.^[7]

It was announced on August 18, 2011, that Scott was to be at the helm of a new installment, with filming to begin no earlier than 2013. Indications from producer Andrew A. Kosove were that Ford was unlikely to be involved in the project.^[8][9] Scott later said that the film was "liable to be a sequel" but without the previous cast, and that he was close to finding a writer that "might be able to help [him] deliver".^[10] On February 6, 2012, Kosove denied that any casting considerations had been made in response to buzz that Ford might reprise his role, saying, "It is absolutely, patently false that there has been any discussion about Harrison Ford being in Blade Runner. To be clear, what we are trying to do with Ridley now is go through the painstaking process of trying to break the back of the story ... The casting of the movie could not be further from our minds at this moment."^[11] When Scott was asked about the possibility of a sequel in October 2012, he said, "It's not a rumor—it's happening. With Harrison Ford? I don't know yet. Is he too old? Well, he was a Nexus-6 so we don't know how long he can live. And that's all I'm going to say at this stage."^[12]

Scott informed the Variety publication in November 2014 that he was no longer the director for the film and would only fulfill a producers' role. Scott also revealed that filming would begin sometime in late 2014/2015, and that Ford's character will only appear in "the third act" of the sequel.^[13] On February 26, 2015, the sequel was officially confirmed, with Arrival director Denis Villeneuve hired to direct the film. Ford was confirmed to return as Deckard, as was original writer Hampton Fancher, with the film expected to enter production in the summer of 2016.^[14]

Pre-production

On April 16, 2015, Ryan Gosling entered negotiations for a role.^[15] Gosling confirmed his casting in November 2015, citing the involvement of Villeneuve and Deakins as factors for his decision to join the film.^[16] On May 20, Roger Deakins was hired as director of photography.^[17] Principal photography was set to begin in July, with Warner Bros. distributing the film domestically and Columbia Pictures handling international release.^[18] An official release date of January 12, 2018 was announced on February 18, 2016.^[19] When interviewed at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, Villeneuve disclosed that the plot would include the ambiguity of whether or not Deckard is a human or a replicant.^[20]

On March 31, 2016, Robin Wright entered final negotiations for a role in the film,^[21] and on April 2, Dave Bautista posted a picture of himself with an origami unicorn, hinting at a role in the film.^[22] Bautista and Wright were confirmed to be joining the cast on April 4, and a filming start date of July was established.^[23] In late April 2016, the film's release date was moved up to October 6, 2017,^[24] as well as Ana de Armas and Sylvia Hoeks being added to the cast.^[25][26] Carla Juri was cast in May 2016.^[27] In June, Mackenzie Davis and Barkhad Abdi were cast,^[28][29] with David Dastmalchian, Hiam Abbass and Lennie James joining in July.^[30][31] Jared Leto was added to the cast in August.^[32]

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Villeneuve briefly discussed the film, revealing it's set a few decades after the original. It will again take place in Los Angeles, and the Earth's atmosphere will be different. "The climate has gone berserk — the ocean, the rain, the snow is all toxic". Scott's role with the film was then revealed as being an executive producer.^[33]

Filming

Principal photography began in July 2016 and, as of September 2016, had been filming in Budapest, Hungary.^[34][35] On August 25, 2016, a construction worker was killed while dismantling one of the film's sets at Origo Studios.^[36] Warner Bros. revealed in early October 2016 that the film would be titled Blade Runner 2049.^[37]

Music

Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, who has previously worked with Villeneuve on Sicario and Arrival, will be composing the score to the sequel.^[38] According to Jóhannsson, the decision was made a long time ago. He praised composer Vangelis for his previous work, and that it will be "an enormous challenge of mythical proportion".^[39]

Release

Alcon Entertainment partnered with technology company Oculus VR to distribute the film exclusively for its virtual reality format and will launch it alongside the theatrical release of October 6, 2017.^[40] As part of an agreement between IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros., Blade Runner 2049 is set for release in IMAX theaters.^[41]

References

External links

• Blade Runner 2049 at the Internet Movie Database
• Blade Runner 2049 at FilmAffinity
• Blade Runner 2049 at Box Office Mojo