Justin Kroll / Variety
With pre-production in high gear, Alcon Entertainment has decided to move up the release date of its “Blade Runner” sequel from January 2018 to October 2017.
Alcon is now set to release the pic on Oct. 6, 2017, shifting it from its original date of Jan. 12, 2018. Harrison Ford is set to return as Det. Rick Deckard and Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright are set to co-star in the film from “Sicario” director Denis Villeneuve.
The sequel, set several decades after the original, is written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, and succeeds the initial story by Fancher and David Peoples based on Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.” Story details are not being revealed.
Warner Bros. is handling domestic distribution and Sony will handle international distribution.
Multi-Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins will reunite with Villeneuve on the project.
Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to “Blade Runner” in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Johnson and Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit.
Ridley Scott will serve as Executive Producer. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will also serve as executive producers along with Bill Carraro.