It's been a long time coming, but at long last, Blade Runner 2 is now officially beginning production with a date set for July of this year.
The follow-up, which has been rumoured for many years, will see Harrison Ford return as Rick Deckard, the 'Blade Runner' who specialises in offing replicants in neon-drenched cityscapes. Ryan Gosling, meanwhile, will play an as-yet undetermined role in the film with more casting announcements expected in the coming months.
Ridley Scott, the original director, was originally supposed to helm this take, however Sicario director Denis Villeneuve stepped in with Roger Deakins looking after the cinematography. Villeneuve has become one of the most visually astute directors in recent years, with Sicario and 2013's Prisoners wowing audiences and critics alike.
Plot-wise, the official press release gives almost nothing away - simply stating that the story will take place several decades after the 1982 classic. Hampton Fancher, who co-wrote the original screenplay with David Webb Peoples, is back to write the sequel based on an idea by him and Scott.
So, thoughts? We'll admit, we were a bit reticent about the whole thing when this was first announced, but Denis Villeneuve's recent comments about the whole thing have put our mind at ease. If you've seen Sicario or Prisoners, you'll know that he really is the director to take this on - probably even more so than Ridley Scott, in fact.
What's more, the cultural advancements in technology and how we deal with it is perfect for a new take on Blade Runner. The film, originally released in 1982, was years ahead of its time and is considered to be one of the best sci-fi films ever made. Plus, Villeuenuve has another film - Story Of Your Life - set for release this year that could have a similar vibe to this.
Basically, we're excited for this. Everything, for the moment, looks to be on the right track. Let's just hope they don't have a voice-over track.
