Blade Runner will have a Sequel; And Harrison Ford is In

Not only is "Blade Runner" a cult classic turned iconic sci-fi must-sees, it is also one of the most respected masterpieces in cinema history. Now, after three decades, Blade Runner will be getting a sequel; Although Academy Award nominated director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy) is being eyed to direct it, Harrison Ford himself is officially returning as Rick Deckard. [hit the jump to continue]

Initially, Ridley Scott, who directed the original 1982 film and will produce the sequel, confirmed earlier reports that Ford was interested in the script and said the film would shoot this year. He was half right, with the production now set to begin in the summer of 2016.

Hampton Fancher, who co-wrote the original, and Michael Green (Green Lantern) wrote the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridely Scott. The film will take place several decades after the original, and according to Scott the film will feature Ford in a small but critical role with his character appearing in the third act of the film.

According to reports, Ford will be returning in a smaller capacity, the film is open to an original and inventive story that won’t be tethered to repeating the original film. Villeneuve is a talented director who proved himself a courageous director with last year’s "Enemy". He’s a filmmaker with distinct vision and keen visual style, which is exactly what an audacious sequel like this needs.

The film is scheduled to start principle photography in summer of 2016. Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green have written the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridely Scott.

State Johnson and Kosove: “We are honored that Harrison is joining us on this journey with Denis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally on Prisoners. Hampton and Michael, with Ridley Scott, have crafted a uniquely potent and faithful sequel to one of the most universally celebrated films of all time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this amazing, creative team.”

Ford will next be seen in "The Age of Adaline" for Lionsgate and the highly anticipated upcoming "Star Wars" for Walt Disney Pictures. Recent releases include the Warner Bros./Legendary box office hit 42.

Villeneuve most recently directed the crime thriller "Sicario" staring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benecio Del Toro for Black Label Media and Lionsgate. He also directed Canada’s Oscar nominated French language film Incendies, and Alcon Entertainment’s critically acclaimed Prisoners, staring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The original "Blade Runner" was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and was directed by Ridley Scott following his landmark Alien.” The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction).

(The original) "Blade Runner" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society.