Well, if it wasn't official before it is now. Blade Runner 2 is on the way, and the sequel to Ridley Scott's other sci-fi classic will star Ryan Gosling and the returning Harrison Ford. Denis Villeneuve (Sicario) is on board to direct, and the film now has an official release date of January 12th 2018, so you'll be waiting a while.
That date may not sound so good, but rest assured the reasons aren't a lack of faith by Alcon Entertainment. It likely has to do with staying clear of the other franchise juggernauts coming that year. Here's the official release:
LOS ANGELES, CA, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 – Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece BLADE RUNNER, to star Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford (reprising his role as Rick Deckard), and to be directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sciario, Prisoners), will be released by Warner Bros. in North America on January 12, 2018, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute in all overseas territories in all media.
The story, written by Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green and based on a story by Fancher and Ridley Scott, takes up several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in July, 2016. Multi-Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Sicario, Prisoners) will reunite with Villeneuve on the project.
Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to BLADE RUNNER in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Johnson and Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit.
Ridley Scott will serve as Executive Producer. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will also serve as executive producers along with Bill Carraro (“Terminator Genisys,” “The Golden Compass”).
