Reinvention or reimagine...Those are the two words that are very popular in Hollywood right now. Whether if it is reinvention of the single character or the entire film, sometimes it works, especially when you have the original director back for a brand new version of the film. In this case, that is Ridley Scott, who directed a sci-fi film noir
Blade Runner from 1982. Starring Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard and Rutger Hauer as replicant (genetically engineered organic robots) Roy Batty, film was set in a dystopian Los Angeles in 2019. By many, this is one of the best films in its genre. Today, the
news broke that Scott is confirmed to direct another film, but it's still unclear what will it be, a sequel, prequel or something else. Well, talking to
LA Times' 24 Frames, producer Andrew Kosove offered some new info, and why it was necessary to get Ridley Scott back. More below.
On gettind Ridley Scott back to direct the film:
"We had a few Plan Bs. But we were really focusing on Plan A, which was Ridley. Everything Ridley does as a filmmaker is fresh. I believe he sees an opportunity to create something that’s wholly original from the first Blade Runner. When we made the first announcement there was a lot of skepticism, understandably. And now with Ridley coming back there's a greater level of comfort. And once we have the writer, I think fans will feel even more comfortable. We want people to know that we're very serious about doing this in an artistic way. This isn't just commercial fodder."
As for when to expect the film, LA TIMES mentions this:
"The soonest Kosove could see the movie beginning shooting is early 2013 - it would take at least 18 months to hire a writer, get a script in working order under Scott's guidance, cast the film and move into production. Either way, that means a new "Blade Runner" wouldn't be in theaters until 2014 at the earliest."
And what about Harrison Ford? Well, if you ask Kosove, he won't be back:
"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."
The most important part of this new version was getting Scott back. Now that he is, and even without Ford, this could work. I really love the 1982 film, and it is something unique. But that's just my opinion. So, what do you think? If Ford is not coming back, who would you like to see in the leading role?
'Blade Runner' poster used in the article was made by turk1672 from Deviant Art