While there’s no shortage of critical appreciation, as a franchise, Blade Runner has never really received the commercial love it deserved. Thankfully, in spite its lacklustre box office performance, Amazon Prime Video is keen to bankroll a live-action limited series dubbed Blade Runner 2099, expanding the sci-fi universe inspired by Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
According to Deadline, the upcoming sequel has been a priority development over at Amazon Studios. The screenplay has been penned by Silka Luisa (Paramount+’s Halo, Shining Girls), who will executive produce alongside original film director Ridley Scott. Alcon Entertainment in association with Scott Free Production are also involved.
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Currently, beyond the fact Blade Runner 2099 promises to “uphold the intellect, themes, and spirit” of its masterfully-crafted predecessors, the story direction is unclear.
“The original Blade Runner (1982) directed by Ridley Scott is considered one of the greatest and most influential science-fiction movies of all time,” said Vernon Sanders, Amazon Studios Head of Global Television.
“And we’re excited to introduce Blade Runner 2099 to our global Prime Video customers.”
Alcon Entertainment Co-CEOs & Co-founders Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson added: “We are beyond excited to continue to extend the Blade Runner canon into a new realm with the provocative storyline that Silka has created.”
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“Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up sequel – Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – is one of the best reviewed sequels of all time. So we recognize that we have a very high bar to meet with this next instalment.”
Of course, this wouldn’t be the first. Last year, an anime series set in 2032 and dubbed Blade Runner: Black Lotus debuted on Adult Swim and Crunchyroll. Centred around a female replicant named Elle voiced by Arisa Shida (Japanese) and Jessica Henwick (English), it received mixed reviews.
Stay tuned for Blade Runner 2099 casting updates, news, and the eventual trailer.
