With Ridley Scott‘s Alien prequel Prometheus arriving in just few weeks, we’ve finally got some solid details surrounding another return to a universe of one of his seminal sci-fi classics, Blade Runner. We got the news last summer that the director will helm the update, but we weren’t sure how exactly it will fit into the world of his 1982 film.
In a statement from producers Alcon Entertainment, it’s now confirmed to be a sequel to the original film. A writer has also been formally announced and it’s someone who knows this universe well. Hampton Fancher, who served as executive producer on the original and adapted Philip K. Dick‘s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? with David Peoples, will return to script this sequel.
Other details are sparse, but we do know it will take place “some years after the first film concluded,” and according to a recent interview with Scott from The Daily Beast, we have a hint who the main protagonist will be. It’s been confirmed Harrison Ford will take no part in this update, but Scott, who started real work on the film last week, said “they’ll definitely be featuring a female protagonist.”
While I like the work from Prometheus co-writer Damon Lindelof, some feared he may be taking the reigns on this project, considering his relationship with Scott. But I’m glad they are going back to the well and while the project will likely pass through the hands of other screenwriters, things are certainly off to a good start.
What do you want to see in a Blade Runner sequel?