It’s been reported that director Ridley Scott has signed on to direct and produce a new installment of Blade Runner for Alcon Entertainment. Although nothing is set in stone, rumors are already swirling that Scott will use 3D to revisit the dystopian universe.
Loosely based on Phillip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner remains a seminal film in the annals of science fiction and modern film noir. Scott’s original film, which was released in 1982, stars Harrison Ford as a man tasked with hunting down robot replicants in a dystopian Los Angeles set in 2019.
Deadline, which broke the story about Scott’s plans to revisit the film Thursday, notes that while the original film wasn’t a big hit at the box office, it has gained a loyal following amongst film historians and science fiction fans.
On Friday, The L.A. Times revealed more information about the project and how it came together. According to Alcon Entertainment’s Andrew Kosove, getting Scott on-board was a big part of the studio’s vision for the film. Speaking to the Times, Kosove said “I believe he sees an opportunity to create something that’s wholly original from the first Blade Runner. ”
Scott, who also directed 2000′s Gladiator, is no stranger to taking a new approach to existing content. The director is finishing work on Prometheus, a film that revisits the world inhabited by Scott’s 1979 class, Alien. Scott took a 3D approach with Prometheus, which Fox will release next summer. Although the studio says that Prometheus is its own title, it started life off as a prequel to the original Alien and reportedly still shares many similarities with the first film.
As for Blade Runner, it’s not clear if the film will be directly related to the original film or just inspired by it. Still, as Kosove told the Times, fans shouldn’t expect to see Harrison Ford return, telling the paper:
“In no way do I speak for Ridley Scott, but if you’re asking me will this movie have anything to do with Harrison Ford, the answer is no. This is a total reinvention, and in my mind that means doing everything fresh, including casting.”
Blade Runner fans will likely need to wait until 2014 to see the results in theaters. First, the film will need a screenwriter and a plan of attack.
If Scott does decide to shoot in 3D, as he did with Prometheus, it will be part of a growing trend of directors taking a 3D approach to either revive or enhance existing franchises.
James Cameron broke new ground with Avatar and is reportedly working on two follow-up films. He’s also working on a 3D version of Titanic. Rather than shooting a new version of the second-highest grossing film of all time, Cameron will be retroactively adding 3D to the 1997 film using post-production techniques.
Although American audiences have softened a bit on 3D films since Avatar broke box office records in 2009 and 2010, the technology is still driving the global film business.
Films like this summer’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Transformers: Dark of the Moon had tremendous overseas performances, driven in large part by 3D ticket sales.
In terms of cinematic history, Blade Runner, along with Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, largely defined the science fiction film. Many modern tech films owe at least some of their existence to Blade Runner. Although we’re not convinced that the original film needs a remake or a prequel, we can’t help but love the idea of Scott revisiting that world, especially using modern technology and filmmaking techniques.
Let us know your thoughts about a Blade Runner revival in the comments.
More About: 3D, Blade Runner, Film, Movies, Ridley ScottFor more Media coverage:Follow Mashable Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:25:25 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bOKzCuYPZt4/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/19/blade-runner-revival/#comments
Loosely based on Phillip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner remains a seminal film in the annals of science fiction and modern film noir. Scott’s original film, which was released in 1982, stars Harrison Ford as a man tasked with hunting down robot replicants in a dystopian Los Angeles set in 2019.
Deadline, which broke the story about Scott’s plans to revisit the film Thursday, notes that while the original film wasn’t a big hit at the box office, it has gained a loyal following amongst film historians and science fiction fans.
On Friday, The L.A. Times revealed more information about the project and how it came together. According to Alcon Entertainment’s Andrew Kosove, getting Scott on-board was a big part of the studio’s vision for the film. Speaking to the Times, Kosove said “I believe he sees an opportunity to create something that’s wholly original from the first Blade Runner. ”
Scott, who also directed 2000′s Gladiator, is no stranger to taking a new approach to existing content. The director is finishing work on Prometheus, a film that revisits the world inhabited by Scott’s 1979 class, Alien. Scott took a 3D approach with Prometheus, which Fox will release next summer. Although the studio says that Prometheus is its own title, it started life off as a prequel to the original Alien and reportedly still shares many similarities with the first film.
As for Blade Runner, it’s not clear if the film will be directly related to the original film or just inspired by it. Still, as Kosove told the Times, fans shouldn’t expect to see Harrison Ford return, telling the paper:
“In no way do I speak for Ridley Scott, but if you’re asking me will this movie have anything to do with Harrison Ford, the answer is no. This is a total reinvention, and in my mind that means doing everything fresh, including casting.”
Blade Runner fans will likely need to wait until 2014 to see the results in theaters. First, the film will need a screenwriter and a plan of attack.
If Scott does decide to shoot in 3D, as he did with Prometheus, it will be part of a growing trend of directors taking a 3D approach to either revive or enhance existing franchises.
James Cameron broke new ground with Avatar and is reportedly working on two follow-up films. He’s also working on a 3D version of Titanic. Rather than shooting a new version of the second-highest grossing film of all time, Cameron will be retroactively adding 3D to the 1997 film using post-production techniques.
Although American audiences have softened a bit on 3D films since Avatar broke box office records in 2009 and 2010, the technology is still driving the global film business.
Films like this summer’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Transformers: Dark of the Moon had tremendous overseas performances, driven in large part by 3D ticket sales.
In terms of cinematic history, Blade Runner, along with Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, largely defined the science fiction film. Many modern tech films owe at least some of their existence to Blade Runner. Although we’re not convinced that the original film needs a remake or a prequel, we can’t help but love the idea of Scott revisiting that world, especially using modern technology and filmmaking techniques.
Let us know your thoughts about a Blade Runner revival in the comments.
More About: 3D, Blade Runner, Film, Movies, Ridley ScottFor more Media coverage:Follow Mashable Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:25:25 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bOKzCuYPZt4/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/19/blade-runner-revival/#comments