Blade Runner 2049 will keep CGI and green screen effects to a minimum, according to Denis Villeneuve.
Variety caught up with the Oscar-nominated writer-director soon after news broke that he’ll be taking the reins on Dune for Legendary. It marks yet another high-profile piece of science fiction for Villeneuve to sink his teeth into following last year’s Arrival, and those concerned that the filmmaker will indulge in cutting-edge CGI when crafting Blade Runner 2049 needn’t worry; he fully intends to “do as much as possible in-camera.”
After addressing the inherent pressures of tackling such a revered property, here’s what Denis Villeneuve had to say on the sequel’s use of CGI – or lack thereof.
“I think I can count on one hand how many times I saw a green screen in all of those months of shooting. There will be CG enhancements, of course, but as much as possible it was in-camera. I hate green screens. It sucks out all my energy. I get depressed. For Blade Runner, we tried our best to do as much as possible in-camera, building everything.”
It’s all part of the director’s commitment to honoring the Blade Runner legacy. That said, Villeneuve went on to acknowledge the fact that 2049 needs to find its “own identity and territory” in order to be considered a success.
“I think the movie we are doing, we will need to find our own identity and territory, and at the same time be faithful and linked to the first project. It’s that equilibrium we are trying to find.”
Heralding the return of Harrison Ford as the iconic Rick Deckard, Villeneuve’s follow-up also stars Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista and Jared Leto.
Blade Runner 2049 will be with us on October 6th and is one of two Ridley Scott franchises poised to continue in 2017, with Alien being the first. Look for Covenant to slither into theaters in time for May 19th.