Back in February, we reported that the long-awaitedBlade Runnerfollow-up is finally happening, withHarrison Fordconfirmed to return asDeckard,Denis Villeneuve(Sicario) set to direct and originalBlade RunnerdirectorRidley Scottproducing. Principal photography is scheduled to begin next summer, from a script by originalBlade RunnerwriterHampton FancherandMichael Green(Green Lantern), but there is still very little we know about the story thus far.Ridley Scottrecently held a discussion on filmmaking at AFI Fest in Los Angeles, where he revealed the opening scene ofBlade Runner 2. Here’s what he had to say at the event, courtesy ofMTime, explaining that it’s an homage to the original opening ofBlade Runner.
“We decided to start the film off with the original starting block of the original film. We always loved the idea of a dystopian universe, and we start off at what I describe as a ‘factory farm’ - what would be a flat land with farming. Wyoming. Flat, not rolling - you can see for 20 miles. No fences, just plowed, dry dirt. Turn around and you see a massive tree, just dead, but the tree is being supported and kept alive by wires that are holding the tree up. It’s a bit like Grapes of Wrath, there’s dust, and the tree is still standing. By that tree is a traditional, Grapes of Wrath-type white cottage with a porch. Behind it at a distance of two miles, in the twilight, is this massive combine harvester that’s fertilizing this ground. You’ve got 16 Klieg lights on the front, and this combine is four times the size of this cottage. And now a spinner [a flying car] comes flying in, creating dust. Of course, traditionally chased by a dog that barks, the doors open, a guy gets out and there you’ve got Rick Deckard. He walks in the cottage, opens the door, sits down, smells stew, sits down and waits for the guy to pull up to the house to arrive. The guy’s seen him, so the guy pulls the combine behind the cottage and it towers three stories above it, and the man climbs down from a ladder - a big man. He steps onto the balcony and he goes toHarrison’s side. The cottage actually [creaks]; this guy’s got to be 350 pounds. I’m not going to say anything else - you’ll have to go see the movie.”
In the originalBlade Runner’s opening sequence, a man introduces himself to Deckard, but shortly thereafter, Deckard shoots him and rips off his jaw, revealing this mystery man to be aReplicant. It isn’t known if this sequel’s opening sequence will lead to a fight between this massive man and Deckard, but we’ll have to wait and see if more details are released before production begins next year. It isn’t known at this time if casting for supporting roles is under way or not.
Ridley Scottrevealed in September that he has been working on the script withHampton FancherandMichael Greenover the past few years. WhileHarrison Fordwas reluctant to read it, the director eventually convinced the actor to do so, and the actor reportedly called it one of the best scripts he’s ever read. The filmmaker also confirmed that Deckard is a Replicant, something that the character will have to admit to himself in the sequel.
We also reported in April thatRyan Goslingis being eyed for the lead role, and the actor recently confirmed toColliderthat he has signed on, and this project will be his next movie. No details were given regarding the characterRyan Goslingis being eyed to play, and it isn’t known how many other characters have yet to be cast. What do you think about these newBlade Runner 2details?
