The original Blade Runner movie was released June 25, 1982. The question: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was the original title of the novel written by Phillip K. Dick back in 1968.

Thirty five years after the groundbreaking noir space thriller was made from that novel, Blade Runner 2049 will be released October 6, 2017. The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter whose knack for discovering replicants (life-like androids, supposedly without emotional capacity) makes him the go-to man for the job of “retiring” six androids who have escaped into the general population. It’s never that simple though, is it? Are you ready to go back to the world of Rick Deckard, Replicant hunter?

Entertainment Weekly was the first to show off the most recent four minute video, Blade Runner 2049: Time to Live. Showing never seen footage, we are given a guided tour of the latest film, its creator, director and actors share their perspectives about how they feel about renewing Blade Runner in the modern era. The art director Paul Inglis promises us “not just the familiar but the slightly divergent, in order to give 2049 an identity.”

In an interview with Wired Magazine, director Ridley Scott agreed that the original Blade Runner was his “most complete and personal film.”

“When I directed the original Blade Runner thirty-five years ago, I could never have imagined how iconic it would still be,” Ridley Scott explained.  “The first movie was always meant to be a stand-alone film, but there’s always more to tell than the two hours would allow.”

Executive producer Ridley Scott and Harrison Ford, reunited on the set of BLADE RUNNER 2049

Ridley Scott and Harrison Ford [photo by Stephen Vaughan/Alcorn Entertainment]

Scott is executive producer of Blade Runner 2049.  He said of making the sequel, “It’s good to be home again.” Harrison Ford agreed wholeheartedly.  “I think it’s kind of fun to play a character thirty years later.  I’m used to trying on old clothes.  Happily, they still fit.”  Ford, of course, has reprised other characters after many years’ hiatus, Han Solo in The Force Awakens and Indiana Jones in the still unnamed movie due to be released July 10, 2020.

The film contains new blood as well as old favorites.  Canadian actor Ryan Gosling will be co-starring as Officer K. Gosling played Hercules in Young Hercules and has been nominated for two Oscars.  

The dream team of Blade Runner 2049: director Denis Villeneuve, executive producer Ridley Scott, and stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling.

Left to right: director Denis Villeneuve, executive producer Ridley Scott, and stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling [photo by Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros.]

His character seeks out Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) after learning “a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos.” Jared Leto (the Joker in Suicide Squad) will play Neander Wallace and Edward James Olmos (Robert Gonzales in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Adama in the Battlestar Galactica reboot) will play Gaff.  Robin Wright (Antiope in Wonder Woman) will also appear in Blade Runner 2049.

Does Entertainment Weekly teaser whet your appetite?  Will they reveal what we all waited thirty-five years to know: Is Deckard a replicant? Are you ready for Blade Runner 2049? If you didn’t get enough, here is one more trailer to tide you over…

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Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress ”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.