If nothing else, this is going to be one good-looking movie.
Whether we want a sequel to Blade Runner or not, it’s coming. Alcon knows they’re touching what’s generally considered an all-timer, and with that comes the “just leave it alone!” attitude that’s become the default response to remaking/rebooting beloved films, and that’s an attitude they know they have to overcome. Bringing in hot Canadian talent like director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy) and Ryan Gosling started to shift the discussion, but today Alcon announced that legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins (Fargo, Skyfall) – who previously collaborated with Villeneuve on 2013’s gorgeous-looking Prisoners – will shoot the film. This is high-level talent, the kind that can take trash and turn it into art. Here it is in the press release:
Twelve-time Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins will join director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Incendies) on Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to BLADE RUNNER, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
Blade Runner is a film renowned for its look, so it was important that a sequel live up to that. Villeneuve is the kind of guy with a meticulous vision, Enemy and Prisoners are both transfixing films, with compelling imagery/compositions, and with him and Deakins together [again], we can take comfort in knowing that Blade Runner 2 is going to look incredible. Obviously gorgeous imagery alone doesn’t make a great film, but the level of talent they’re approaching for this production does bring some hope to the idea of a sequel. I’d rather see these three talented guys get together to make an original sci-fi but that’s not how this industry works, so I guess I’ll just be glad Villeneuve is getting the recognition he deserves. Principal photography starts in Summer 2016.
What do you guys make of this?