Ridley Scott won't Direct 'Blade Runner 2'

We've known for awhile that Ridley Scott was looking to toy around with another of his sci-fi classics, only this time it would be Blade Runner rather than Alien. While some may not have been feeling how Prometheus turned out (you're getting a sequel anyway!), a Blade Runner follow-up does hold a certain amount of promise if only because it won't have an entire franchise to navigate. Scott has been dodgy on whether he'd direct, but as the pieces are starting to come together he's now confirming someone else will take the reins.

Speaking with Variety, Scott said he'll be in a producer role for Blade Runner 2 but wouldn't reveal who would direct. He will be working closely with Hampton Fancher on the screenplay, though...

Scott: “We talked at length about what it could be, and came up with a pretty strong three-act storyline, and it all makes sense in terms of how it relates to the first one."

Harrison Ford previously confirmed his return as Rick Deckard, and Scott spills a small spoiler on the character's specific part to play...

Scott: “Harrison is very much part of this one. But it’s really about finding him. He comes in in the third act.”

A director will need to be announced soon as production is expected to begin next year. 

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Ridley Scott May Direct 'Blade Runner' Sequel Before 'Prometheus 2'; Confirms Harrison Ford

One thing Ridley Scott has never been short on is potential projects on his plate. He keeps his dance card full at all times and even if some (or most) of that stuff doesn't happen that leaves a lot that will. Right now he's busy with the Biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings due out this December, which will then be followed by The Martian starring Matt Damon. But he's also got Blade Runner and Prometheus sequels somewhere down the line, and it sounds like he's chosen Blade Runner to come first. He tells EW in regards to Blade Runner 2's script penned by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green....

Scott: “It’s written and it’s damn good. Of course it involves Harrison, who is a survivor after all these years—despite the accident. So yes, that will happen."

He's referring to Ford's injury that has laid him up for a few weeks and caused a delay in Star Wars: Episode VII. Despite Ford has talked about returning without confirming anything, but it sounds like Scott is planning as if he will be back as Deckard.

If Scott does choose to work on Blade Runner 2 after The Martian that leaves a pretty big problem for Prometheus 2. The sci-fi film is slated for March 4th 2016 and there's little chance it will be able to hit that date.

Scott: “That’s the problem, I’ve got a lot of ducks in a row. But they’re all written.”

Green and Jack Paglen (Transcendence) wrote the Prometheus 2 script but this may be a case where Scott merely produces and hands the directing job over to someone else, as was first hinted at last year. 

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Harrison Ford Officially Sought for 'Blade Runner 2'

Here's something you don't see every day; producers issuing a press release to say they've approached someone for a role. Harrison Ford has been pretty open about his desire to come back as Deckard in Ridley Scott's developing Blade Runner sequel, but with so much going on with Star Wars: Episode VII and Prometheus, it sort of got lost in the shuffle for both men. But Warner Bros. label Alcon Entertainment hasn't forgotten about it, and they've just made clear their intentions to have Ford reprise the role he made memorable in the classic 1982 film.

Here's the press release with all the relevant info, including when the story will take place.

 Warner Bros-based Alcon Entertainment (‘Prisoners,’ ‘The Blind Side,’ ‘The Book of Eli’) has an offer out to Harrison Ford to reprise his celebrated role of Rick Deckard in its Ridley Scott-directed sequel to ‘Blade Runner,’ it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.

Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the 1982 adaptation) and Michael Green are the screenwriters. While the story is being kept under wraps, it takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original.

State Johnson and Kosove: “We believe that Hampton Fancher and Michael Green have crafted with Ridley Scott an extraordinary sequel to one of the greatest films of all time. We would be honored, and we are hopeful, that Harrison will be part of our project.”

So when will this movie actually go into production? Who knows? At this point it's not even a guarantee Scott will direct it. He's got plenty on his plate already with Prometheus 2 coming in 2016, although he may not helm that, either; press for Exodus: Gods & Kings later this year; and he just agreed to direct Matt Damon in The Martian. 

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Harrison Ford Confirms 'Blade Runner 2' Talks; Ben Kingsley Laughs Off 'Star Wars 7' Rumors

There's been a great deal of confusion regarding Harrison Ford's potential return for Blade Runner 2. At one point, Ridley Scott made it clear that he wanted Ford back, presumably to reprise his iconic role as Deckard. But we've also heard that the film won't exactly be a true sequel, more like a Preometheus-esque "reinvention" according to a producer, and that any talk of Ford returning was "patently false". But Ford himself has now spoken out about it, and he's more than just leaving the door open for a comeback, he's saying talks are underway. Here's what he told IGN when asked about returning for the Blade Runner sequel...

Ford: "Yeah, we’ve been chatting about it. I truly admire Ridley as a man and as a director. I would be very happy to engage again with him in the further telling of this story."

Since there's no clear vision for the true nature of the film, it's been hard to pin down exactly what kind of role replicant-hunting cop Rick Deckard would even have. Chances are it wouldn't be a lead, but possibly a major supporting turn? Or maybe even just a minor cameo?

Ford's Ender's Game co-star Ben Kingsley has also been the subject of numerous Internet rumors of late, with some saying that he read for Star Wars: Episode VII. It's not that surprising to see the veteran actor's name mentioned. He's just coming off another Disney blockbuster in Iron Man 3, and he does fit one of the character descriptions looking for a "70-something male". However, Kingsley spoke with Total Film and basically laughed off the rumors as complete rubbish....

Kingsley: "Oh, what a shame that I wasn't awake during the audition. It's passed me by entirely...I have no recollection of it whatsoever! I do apologize to the producers and director, but I'm afraid that I have no recall of this." 

Ok, so it's not a clear "No", but we can probably count him out of the Star Wars race, even though he would make a pretty awesome Sith Lord. Kingsley and Ford will be seen together in Ender's Game, hitting theaters on November 1st.

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