The long rumoured sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult sci-fi classic Blade Runner is coming soon and it’s to be joined by virtual reality experiences via Oculus.
Update: We’ve updated this story with new information, and updated the headline to reflect this.
There’s a good chance if you’re reading this, you’re pretty familiar with Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Philip K Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford. The movie, received somewhat coldly by critics and audiences on its release in 1982, has since become a revered classic of the genre and fans of the film have longed for a sequel ever since.
Now, not only has the follow up been officially confirmed as ‘happening’, the new film, entitled Blade Runner 2049, will show up in October next year and it’s being produced with VR experiences too.
There’s not much detailed information out there right now, but according to Ars Technica, Harrison Ford will reprise his role as gruff ‘Blade Runner’ (special detectives, dedicated to hunting down and eliminating rogue androids known as ‘replicants’) Deckard, with new blood being injected in the shape of Ryan Gosling. Disappointingly, Ridley Scott will not be at the helm of the new film, with Director Denis Villeneuve – who brought us the incredible thriller Sicario last year – is stepping in to bring the film to life. Further good news is that the original writer (although, Blade Runner geeks will know there’s some contention on that front) Hampton Fancher returns to pen the sequel.
As for the virtual reality aspect, it’s unclear exactly how that will play out. All we know right now is that the film will debut in theatres and joined via Oculus’ VR platforms by accompanying experiences, which may mean both Rift and Samsung Gear VR, and that Oculus will release more details later on. They’ve currently been vague about how VR will be integrated, simply saying: “[we’re] working with Alcon Interactive to bring interactive VR vignettes based on the Blade Runner sequel to the Oculus platform…”
Feature image courtesy Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros via Ars Technica