Harrison Fordwill reprise his celebrated role as Rick Deckard in the sequel to Alcon Entertainment’sBlade Runner, with Academy Award nomineeDenis Villeneuve(Prisoners,Incendies) in negotiations to direct, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’sAndrew A. KosoveandBroderick Johnson. The film is scheduled to start principal photography in summer of 2016.Hampton Fancher(co-writer of the original) andMichael Greenhave written the original screenplay based on an idea byFancherandRidley Scott.Ridley Scott, who directed the iconic 1982 sci-fi pic for Warner Bros., is aboard to executive produce.The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original. Here’s whatAndrew A. KosoveandBroderick Johnsonhad to say in a statement.
“We are honored thatHarrisonis joining us on this journey withDenis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally onPrisoners.HamptonandMichael, withRidley 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.”
Fordwill next be seen inThe Age of Adalinefor Lionsgate and the highly anticipated upcomingStar Wars: The Force Awakensfor Walt Disney Pictures. Recent releases include the Warner Bros./Legendary box office hit42. Villeneuve most recently directed the crime thrillerSicario, staringEmily Blunt,Josh Brolin, andBenicio Del Torofor Black Label Media and Lionsgate. He also directed Canada’s Oscar nominated French language filmIncendies, and Alcon Entertainment’s critically acclaimedPrisoners, staringHugh JackmanandJake Gyllenhaal.
Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights toBlade Runnerin 2011 from producer Bud Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Bud Yorkin will serve as a producer on the sequel along withKosoveandJohnson. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.
Among its many distinctions,Blade Runnerhas been singled out as one of the greatest movies of all time by innumerable polls and media outlets, and overwhelmingly as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications. Released by Warner Bros.,Blade Runnerwas adapted byHampton FancherandDavid Webb Peoplesfrom PPhilip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and was directed byRidley Scottfollowing his landmarkAlien. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction).
Blade Runnerwas selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society.
