Blade Runner 2049 star Ryan Gosling has described the state of things in the upcoming sci-fi sequel as being “more brutal” than the world depicted in the original Blade Runner. Based in part on the 1968 Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the original Blade Runner is now considered a classic both the genre and Ridley Scott’s outstanding body of work. Now, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (of Sicario and Arrival fame) seeks to expand the Blade Runner franchise, with his followup.
Ahead of the new movie’s release later this October, Scott (who is producing the sequel) has said that Blade Runner 2049 will reveal once and for all whether or not Rick Deckard is a replicant, and Gosling has defended Villeneuve’s intentions to honor the original Blade Runner‘s thematic legacy. It remains to be seen how well the new movie will fare with modern audiences – a sticking point that has its director prepared for a presumptively slim chance of success at the box office – but if Gosling can be believed, those who go all in for 2049 are in for an even darker take on Scott’s Noir-inspired cinematic universe.
Speaking to Empire, Gosling was understandably reticent to reveal too much about the movie ahead of its theatrical release, but he was willing to divulge a little bit about the tone that Blade Runner 2049 will take. Highlighting the ambiguity of the biological existence of Officer K (Gosling) that sees the protagonist seeking aid from former Blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), Gosling said this about the sequel:
“The world has become more brutal. People are trying to survive. [K] discovers a mystery that makes him question his own identity, and Deckard is the only one who can answer those questions.”
In addition to another exclusive image from the film (see above), things are definitely coming together in regards to ascertaining how Blade Runner 2049 will change things for the cinematic universe that Scott branded upon the public imagination in 1982. Alongside supporting turns from Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, Robin Wright, and Dave Bautista – in addition to returning franchise regulars Ford and Edward James Olmos – Gosling is primed to enter far darker territory in Villeneuve’s bold franchise sequel.
Considering the fact that Villeneuve will follow Blade Runner 2049 by bringing the Frank Herbert sci-fi touchstone that is Dune to the big screen, the Canadian filmmaker – who truly entered into the mainstream in a big way on the back of his Oscar nominated Arrival – is all set to continue riding an upward wave of popular credibility, from hereon out.
NEXT: Blade Runner 2049 (and Much More) Heads to Comic-Con 2017
Key Release Dates
Blade Runner 2
Release Date:2017-10-06
