Leading up to the October 2017 theatrical release of Blade Runner 2 from critically acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario), there has been a healthy amount of information regarding the film’s shooting script and well rounded cast of actors. Featuring the return of the original movie’s star Harrison Ford (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), the long awaited sequel to the seminal science-fiction dystopia of 1982 directed by Ridley Scott finally appears to be coming together in a big way.
Working with a cast that includes welcome franchise newcomers as Ryan Gosling (The Nice Guys), Robin Wright (House of Cards), and Dave Bautista (Spectre), Villeneuve may yet deliver a follow-up to Scott’s film (itself, an adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? novel) that pleases longtime Blade Runner fans. That being said, the latest batch of material from behind the scenes should offer viewers eager to see Blade Runner 2 in theaters some idea of what the finished production will look like.
Courtesy of EW, the latest pair of images depict two examples of concept art that will serve to inspire Villeneuve and director of photography Roger Deakins in the making of Blade Runner 2. The images feature the metropolitan city of Los Angeles several decades after the original film that took place in a fictitious 2019 – though its urban sprawl has now reportedly reached far out over much of the West Coast.
Check out the Blade Runner 2 concept art below:
Initially, Villeneuve was hesitant to touch upon Scott’s original film, which meant the world to him when he saw it for the first time in theaters while growing up in Quebec, Canada. However, after conferring with returning Blade Runner screenwriter Hampton Francher, the director’s mind was put at ease regarding his role as director of the franchise sequel (which will see Scott serving as a producer). Speaking to his faith in the film’s script (which is co-written by Michael Green), Villeneuve stated:
“[Francher] told me that Blade Runner was a dream. We just have to dream again and not worry too much about logic. That removed so much pressure and gave me the key to move forward.”
Whether or not longtime fans of Scott’s original feature will be pleased with Blade Runner 2 remains to be seen, though going in knowing so many members of the original movie’s cast and crew are back on board is certainly a sign of significant encouragement. On that note, here’s to hoping that Villeneuve can deliver a sequel to the much beloved science-fiction dystopia to please moviegoers of all ages.
Blade Runner 2 will see theatrical release in the U.S. on October 6, 2017.
