Ryan Gosling and co-star Ana de Armas make up some of the 2049 cast
By Eddie on 15/09/2017
I’m not the world’s biggest ever Blade Runner fan but I can completely understand why Ridley Scott’s 80’s sci-fi masterpiece is such a beloved piece of filmmaking.
Taking Philip K. Dick’s story and turning it into a layered and visually spectacular experience, Blade Runner continues to enthral audiences to this day.
It seemed like we were unlikely to ever see the return of this universe and in particular its protagonist Rick Deckard on the big screen again but the planets aligned and in but a few weeks’ time we will get the long awaited sequel in the form of Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049.
Everything so far points to a world-class sci-fi experience and one of the years must-see big screen events and below is a list of reasons why film fans the world over should be well and truly excited about this sequel, that could well be as good as its revered forefather.
Happy reading and happy watching.
1. Harrison Ford’s Return
Harrison Ford is back as Rick Deckard in what is one of his most iconic roles
In a career that would be the envy of almost any other actor, Ford’s turn as replicant hunter Rick Deckard in the 1982 Ridley Scott original is one of the performer’s finest pieces of work. In the 35 years since the original hit cinema screens, it wouldn’t have been the most surprising of developments if the aging star didn’t jump on board this long-gestating sequel. Despite Ford’s role in the film being kept under wraps at present, his willingness to be a part of this new entry suggests Ford saw the potential of this new age Sci-Fi to do justice to the beloved first entry.
Hear a little about why Ford decided to come back to this series below –
http://www.nme.com/news/film/harrison-ford-reveals-returned-blade-runner-sequel-2070739
2. Denis Villeneuve
Villeneuve on set of his big-budgeted production
The moment after I finished watching French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve’s 2010 feature film Incendies I knew that I had just witnessed the birth of a potentially legendary filmmaker. Since that 2010 event, Villeneuve has kept himself busy with the release of 4 incredible feature films, Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario and last year’s Sci-Fi masterpiece Arrival. At 50 years of age and with hopefully many more films left in him, Villeneuve (whose soon to get to work on his take on Dune universe) has crafted an almost impeccable filmography and if anyone was going to do justice to Ridley Scott’s original, I can’t think of anyone better than this standout talent.
For an in-depth interview for Villeneuve on his films and Blade Runner 2049 read here –
http://www.vulture.com/2017/01/denis-villeneuve-intervew-blade-runner-dune-arrival.html
3. The Score
Musican/Oscar winning actor Jared Leto’s Niander Wallace appears to be the films main villain
One of the original’s most famous components is the renowned score of electronica master Vangelis and following in the acclaimed composers footsteps is no light matter. Things appear in great hands however with Villeneuve’s Arrival scorer Jóhann Jóhannsson on board with help from none other than the legendary Hans Zimmer and one of his protégé’s Benjamin Wallfisch (whose work on A Cure for Wellness promised a bright future). It seems as though Vangelis’s Blade Runner legacy is assured with these names attached.
Get an insight into this exciting 3-way collaboration here –
http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2017/07/31/hans-zimmer-will-co-score-blade-runner-2049
4. The Films R Rating
Much of the original’ style remains in-tact with the sequel
While it would’ve been a commercially beneficial decision to get this expensive production a PG-13 rating, its seemingly great news that Villeneuve’s vision has not been watered down with news of 2049 being slapped with an R rating in the States. Following on from recent big-budgeted R rated blockbusters like Logan and Deadpool, 2049 is clearly not aiming for easy wins and will depict a violent and adult world of a futuristic landscape, which should mean a deeper experience than a PG-13 rating would’ve allowed for.
Read more about why 2049’s rating is good for us viewers –
http://screenrant.com/blade-runner-2049-rating-r/
5. Roger Deakins
Villeneuve and Deakins have worked together before on Prisoners and Sicario
Allow me to go full film nerd for a second, Roger Deakins work as a cinematographer in Hollywood is nothing short of extraordinary. The multiple Oscar nominee (13 without a win to be exact!) has been responsible for lensing such films as The Shawshank Redemption, No Country for Old Men, The Assassination of Jesse James, Skyfall and countless others. From what we’ve seen of 2049 so far, it’s safe to say the film will be an absolute treat visually and at just under the age of 70, Deakins may finally take home a long overdue Oscar at next year’s ceremony for his work here.
Not too excited about Deakin’s being on board, read below and I’m sure you will be –
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/blade-runner-2049-cinematographer-roger-deakins-1201813923/
Blade Runner 2049 hits Australian cinema screens on Thursday October 5th
Are you a fan of Blade Runner? Are you excited or worried about this sequel? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Uh, I loved the original movie, though I don’t think that as an adaptation of the book it was particularly good. I am also looking forward to this new film because of 1) Ryan Gosling and 2) Jared Leto. I am not too sure about Villeneuve directing it. My worry is that he could go too artsy on it and there will be the stress on the visuals instead of the narrative, character and emotion.
I think he handles all of narrative, character and emotion pretty well as judged on his other films so I think we could be safe there.
E
I did a review on the original movie a while back, and I am very excited forbthis new movie. The trailers look very good, and truly seem to recreate the vibe of the original movie. The short film that has been released that features Jared Leto’s character already gave a very interesting look into the film. Don’t know if you have seen that yet, but it’s well worth checking out. I’m looking forward to this one: hopefully it won’t disappoint 😊
Here’s hoping mate! I have great faith in this one. Feel like it could be one of those rare sequels that does justice to first film.
E
The original movie was a lightning in a bottle, which is really hard to replicate (pardon the pun). Also, I found Arrival heavily flawed from the story standpoint and liked it less the more I thought about it, so I’m not yet convinced that Villeneuve can do solid storytelling as well as striking visuals. Fingers crossed it’s good.
Did you ever watch Incendies? I reckon that is proof he really can handle characters well.
I’m feeling very good about this one, even without knowing to much about what it will entail.
I don’t expect to much of Ford either, you get a feeling his role will be more cameo like.
E
I was fortunate to see the original without knowing about the whole idea that Ridley Scott had that Harrison Ford was a replicate. I prefer to ignore that idea; it makes no sense in the context of the film, as far as I am concerned.
It’s a cause for great debate all that! I am keen to re-watch the original before next week, hearing great things about 2049 which is what I was expecting to happen.
E
Pingback: Blade Runner (1982): A Tribute & Retrospective | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Blade Runner (1982): A Tribute & Retrospective – Tinseltown Times·