Fans of Harrison Ford have been on quite the rollercoaster ride this past year. What seemed inconceivable has now happened – he’s returning as Han Solo in STAR WARS EPISODE VII, and now it’s been confirmed he will reprise Rick Deckard for BLADE RUNNER 2.
Original helmer and visionary Ridley Scott is not directing, but has devised the script concept with Hampton Fancher. It sees the action moved on to incorporate Ford’s age, though whether Deckard is going to be a main character remains to be seen. The new director is likely to be Denis Villeneuve, who scored a hit with PRISONERS.
To say Villeneuve has a lot to live up to is an understatement. The franchise’s source material was Philip K Dick’s Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep and the resulting movie became one of the most influential sci-fi films of the twentieth century, despite a troubled production. Scott’s eye for a futuristic LA will be much missed.
Shooting commences Summer next year. Fancher and Michael Green are writing the screenplay and the sequel is produced by Alcon Entertainment and Thunderbird Films. The aim is to also make a prequel, so it’s looking like the BLADE RUNNER name is far from retired.
Source: THR
