Harrison Ford to star in Blade Runner sequel

Harrison Ford will reprise his lead role in the dystopian sci-fi film Blade Runner for a sequel, according to media reports.

Alcon Entertainment made the announcement on Thursday, and the original film’s director, Ridley Scott will not be directing but returns to the helm as producer. Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy) is currently in negotiations to direct.

The second instalment has been written by Hampton Fancher, who co-wrote the original screenplay, and Michael Green. Ford said of the script “this is the best thing I’ve ever read”, according to an interview with Scott by MTV in November.

The first Blade Runner was released in 1982, and depicts a dark and gritty Los Angeles in 2019. Ford will reprise his role as police officer Rick Deckard, with the new film set several decades later.

Joining Scott as co-producers will be Alcon’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.

The announcement follows a rash of reprisals for 80s sci-fi film and television shows, including Mad Max, the Aliens series and Twin Peaks. Ford will also soon be seen in the seventh instalment of Star Wars, returning as the memorable space smuggler Han Solo from the original trilogy.