Ridley Scott Updates Both Blade Runner 2 And Prometheus 2
This article is more than 2 years old
Ridley Scott has never been a filmmaker content to sit back and take a break. He’s always got at least a couple of big movies in the works, like the Moses epic Exodus: Gods and Kings with Christian Bale that opens in December, or Matt Damon-starring Mars adventure The Martian, slated for release on November 2015. But no matter what he’s actually working on, there’s always talk of revising some of his earlier films. Rumors about Blade Runner 2 and various jaunts into the Alien universe (lately in the form of Prometheus movies), in particular, just never quite go away. The director recently spoke on both counts.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Scott indicated that Blade Runner 2 may not be quite as far off as we all suspect. This is one of those movies that, despite constant chatter, I never actually anticipate getting made, but if Scott is being truthful, it might happen sooner than we all think (like maybe in my lifetime). He said, “It’s written and it’s damn good. Of course it involves Harrison, who is a survivor after all these years – despite the accident (referring to Ford’s Star Wars injury). So yes, that will happen.”
He went on to say that Blade Runner 2 could, actually be on the docket right after he finishes The Martian, which isn’t all that far off at all. Ford has come out and said that he’s down to reprise his role (as has co-star Sean Young), so perhaps things are finally coming together on this long, long-gestating feature.
That timeline does seem a bit optimistic, however. At the moment, Prometheus 2 (regardless of how you feel about the first film, which I still think gets a bit of a bum rap) is slated to hit theaters on March 4, 2016, and though that sounds far off, in movie terms, when you’re talking about putting together a cast and crew, filming, and all the post-production and special effects work that this film will need, you’re already cutting things a little bit close. And Blade Runner 2 would fall into a very similar category.
That said, at least it sounds like the script is well in hand. He said, “That’s the problem, I’ve got a lot of ducks in a row. But they’re all written.” Having completed scripts are a huge step in the right direction—how many times have we seen projects delayed while screenplay issues are hashed out? We know that Blade Runner 2 has employed original screenwriter Hampton Fancher, as well as Michael Green. Green also worked Prometheus 2 along side Jack Palagen.
Which of these films would you like to see Scott tackle next? I suspect it’s probably Blade Runner 2, though we’re all a little bit afraid that it could get totally screwed up.
