Blade Runner TV Series Killed By Amazon?
The Blade Runner 2099 television series, commissioned by Amazon Prime Video with director Ridley Scott serving as an executive producer, will not be filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The series, set to expand upon the franchise, which began with the 1982 film starring Harrison Ford, has been fraught with challenges from the start. Filming was previously delayed due to the actors and writers’ strike.
While the Blade Runner 2099 production has opted for a different location, the specifics are yet to be disclosed. Richard Williams, the Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, expressed his disappointment over this decision, emphasizing the impact it would have on the local film and television industry.
Amazon’s Blade Runner 2099 is changing locations for its production
“We are conscious that these difficult decisions do happen in the screen industry, particularly with the most expensive projects which carry the greatest expectations,” Williams said about Blade Runner 2099 via Deadline.
“This obviously leaves a gap in Northern Ireland’s production schedule and Northern Ireland Screen will do everything it can to plug that gap as quickly as possible, mindful that many freelance crew and supply chain companies were relying on this project for work.”
Northern Ireland Screen had allocated £4.1 million (just over $5 million) in screen funding to the Blade Runner 2099 production. This considerable investment will now be returned due to the change of plans. The financial loss is another blow to the local economy and the many individuals banking on the production for employment opportunities.
Blade Runner 2099 was planned as a 10-episode series intended to build upon the events of the original film. While the 1982 Blade Runner movie may not have enjoyed an immediate box office success, it gained a cult following over time. The 2017 sequel, Blade Runner 2049, featuring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, proved to be a financial success, earning $267 million.
Blade Runner 2099 was planned as a 10-episode series intended to build upon the events of the original film.
Despite these setbacks, fans remain hopeful that Blade Runner 2099 will eventually see the light of day. The Blade Runner movies, known for their dystopian, neo-noir themes and stunning visual aesthetics, are based on Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The story revolves around synthetic humans called “replicants” and the ethical questions raised by their existence.
Blade Runner 2099 was set to continue this franchise. Directed by Ridley Scott, the original Blade Runner is set in a bleak, futuristic Los Angeles in 2019 (which was a distant future at the time of release). It follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a “blade runner” who has to hunt down and retire/destroy rogue replicants who have escaped to Earth. The film was praised for its groundbreaking visual effects and its influence on the cyberpunk genre.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049 is a sequel to the original film. Set 30 years later in 2049. the story centers around K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner who discovers a long-lost secret that could disrupt what’s left of society. His discovery leads him to search for Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who has been missing for three decades. Blade Runner 2099 is set to take place 50 years later.
Like its predecessor, Blade Runner 2049 received critical acclaim for its stunning visuals, including cinematography by Roger Deakins and a thought-provoking narrative. The Blade Runner franchise, which still includes Blade Runner 2099, is also supplemented by other media, including novels, comics, and video games, which expand on the rich universe created by Philip K. Dick.
The combination of Ridley Scott’s involvement and the franchise’s enduring appeal ensures that Blade Runner 2099 will continue to generate interest and speculation until it finally hits our screens.
