'Blade Runner' sequel adds a new Replicant to its cast?
Actress Ana de Armas joins Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright and Dave Bautista in the upcoming "Blade Runner" sequel. Will she portray a human or replace Rachael the Replicant?
Fans of the original 1982 sci-fi classic film "Blade Runner" have been anxiously waiting for more updates on the upcoming sequel, and it looks like we're finally getting more information on the cast, shooting schedule and new release date.
We know that Harrison Ford is reprising his role as Rick Deckard -- a human (or is he?) whose job it is to "retire" rogue Replicants.
Actors Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright and Dave Bautista have already reportedly joined the cast.
But the most recent "Blade Runner" news is from the film's production company Alcon Entertainment who revealed in a statement on April 21 that actress Ana de Armas will also be in the film.
Whether Armas will be replacing original actress Sean Young as the Replicant love interest Rachael is unknown. Armas' uncanny resemblance to Young's appearance in the original film will most likely spark speculation amongst "Blade Runner" fans.
"We think Ana is one of the most exciting, up-and-coming international actors in the world today, and we are thrilled she will be playing such an important part in this sequel," Alcon co-founders and co-CEO's Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson said in a statement.
Sean Young portrayed Rachael the Replicant in the 1982 "Blade Runner" film.
Even though there are no specific details about who will be playing which characters in the sequel, we already know from previous reports that the film will take place several decades after the original film's 2019 timeline in a futuristic and dystopian Los Angeles.
The original movie's director Ridley Scott is also still on board as executive producer for Alcon Entertainment. Scott also reportedly gave input on the "Blade Runner" sequel script, originally written by screenwriters Hampton Francher and Michael Greenwith. Canadian director Denis Villeneuve will be helming the new film.
"It's a big undertaking with a lot of pressure on everyone involved," Gosling told Entertainment Weekly on April 21. "But it's exciting as well."
The "Blade Runner" movie sequel begins shooting this summer and has been moved up from its previous theatrical release date of January 12, 2018 to October 6, 2017.