Denis Villeneuve down to “revisit” Blade Runner franchise
By Ashley Hurst
Between the fantastic cinematography and fantastic storytelling, Blade Runner 2049 was the best sequel to the 1982 classic we could’ve hoped for, even if it didn’t rule the box office. Some fans even consider it superior to the original. It’s no wonder they’re itching for more, and director Denis Villeneuve isn’t ruling out a return visit!
Speaking about the franchise to Empire Magazine, Villeneuve admitted that he’s only seen his sequel once. “It was by far one of the most beautiful cinematic experiences,” he said. “But I haven’t watched the movie since the premiere. Making movies is a lot of joy and a lot of pain, and I have to make peace with all that. And I’m not at peace yet. It’s gonna be a long time until I’m able to watch the film again.”
If Blade Runner has remained a favorite for over 30 years and its sequel Has been universally praised, surely more is on the way, right? Well, maybe.
“It’s such an inspiring place, the Blade Runner world,” Villeneuve said. “The problem I have is the word ‘sequel.’ I think cinema needs original stories.”
"But if you ask if I’d like to revisit this universe in a different way, I can say yes. It would need to be a project on its own. Something disconnected from both other movies. A detective noir story set in the future … I wake up sometimes in the night dreaming about it."
It’s entirely possible that we could see more Blade Runner in the years to come. It’s a classic, richly woven sci-fi world with lots of stories to tell. Personally, I would like to see an original TV show set in the universe. We’ve seen similar futuristic worlds in series like Altered Carbon and Westworld, and those shows have been very successful. If Villeneuve wants to revisit the universe in a different way that is not a sequel, a TV series might be the best way!
In the meantime, Villeneuve is working on adapting another classic sci-fi story for the big screen: Frank Herbert’s Dune. If his work on Blade Runner 2049 is any indication, we’re in for a real treat.
Next. Quentin Tarantino on one side of a “war” against Marvel, Star Wars, giant franchises. dark
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