Some might consider it sacrilegious — though probably not those inside Hollywood — but a sequel, or prequel, to Ridley Scott's classic 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner could be headed to a multiplex near you. Moreover, a television series could be on the way, too.
Say whaa…?Yep, you read that right.
Alcon Entertainment (The Book of Eli) has set in motion plans to develop a franchise based on the 1982 film and are in final negotiations to secure the rights for development as sequels, prequels, a television series…or all of the aforementioned. What they cannot do is reboot or remake the original film (we hear the collective sighs of relief even now).
Blade Runner, of course, is based on the 1968 Philip K. Dick novel, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", and is considered, along with Ridley Scott's other sci-fi film Alien, one of the seminal science fiction films of all time.
Here's how the studio press release describes the situation:
Warner Bros-based financing and production company Alcon Entertainment (“The Blind Side,” “The Book of Eli”) co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove, in the most significant property acquisition negotiations in the Company’s 13-year history, are in final discussions to secure film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic 1982 science-fiction thriller “Blade Runner.”
Alcon is negotiating to secure the rights from producer-director Bud Yorkin, who will serve as producer on “Blade Runner” along with Kosove and Johnson. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will co-produce. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.
Alcon’s franchise rights would be all-inclusive, but exclude rights to remake the original. The Company, however, may produce projects based on situations introduced in the original film. The project would be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. International rights are yet to be determined.
Johnson and Kosove stated: “We are honored and excited to be in business with Bud Yorkin. This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us. We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”
It's at least somewhat relieving to hear Johnson and Kosove openly state that they "get" what a big responsibility this franchise is, and that they want to do justice to the original material.
It seems as though Ridley Scott's return to the Alien franchise has cast a spotlight on the filmmaker's early, seminal sci-fi projects, though this could all just be coincidence. At this point there's no discussion about Scott's possible involvement with any future Blade Runner iterations.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
'Blade Runner' Sequels, Prequels & TV Series May be on the Way | CinemaSpy
via cinemaspy.com
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