Blade Runner 2 has been a long time coming, that much we know, but in light of Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment’s decision to shake up the sequel’s 2018 release date, Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi feature will be arriving a little earlier than expected.
Previously on course to grace theaters in January of 2018, Blade Runner 2 has now relocated to October 6, 2017 – occupying the spot left vacant by Ridley Scott’s fellow sci-fi sequel, Alien: Covenant. The shift places Villeneuve’s long-in-development follow-up directly in the heart of awards season.
But perhaps most exciting of all is that, after donning the cocky attitude and signature smirk as Han Solo for The Force Awakens, next year heralds the return of Harrison Ford in the iconic role of Rick Deckard. Taking place more than three decades after the adorned 1982 original, Warner and Alcon Entertainment have been busy beefing up the cast for Blade Runner 2, welcoming the likes of Ryan Gosling, House of Cards stalwart Robin Wright and, more recently, Guardians fan-favorite Dave Bautista.
Penned by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, Alcon’s sequel ensures esteemed cinematographer Roger Deakins will make it three for three with Denis Villeneuve collaborations in 2017, following the pair’s celebrated work across Prisoners and pulse-pounding narcotics thriller, Sicario.
Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep? Expect Blade Runner 2 to descend into theaters on October 6, 2017.