We put Blade Runner 2049 in the number one slot of our most anticipated films this year and now—on the eve of the original film’s 35th release anniversary—our hunger is slightly abated with a stunning new behind-the-scenes featurette (below).

Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 original film looks to be a jaw-dropping mix of visual feats that stay true to both the story and the technical innovation that made Blade Runner an instant classic. Villeneuve acknowledges this legacy, stating “I have massive respect for the world Ridley created. Blade Runner revolutionized the way we see science fiction.”

Villeneuve is likely the right man for the job, as he took science fiction down an entirely new road himself, ostensibly reinventing the hackneyed alien genre with 2016’s Arrival, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award in Directing. Even Ridley Scott himself is fully on board as Executive Producer of the film that reboots his classic.

Blade Runner 2049 indeed brings several heavy-hitters to the table to help ensure its success, including no less of a cinematographer than multiple Oscar-nominated Roger Deakins, who also shot for Villeneuve on 2015’s Sicario. No stranger to complex action movies (the James Bond hit Skyfall, for one), Deakins admits in the featurette, "I've never worked on a film with so many different sets and lighting challenges. Technically, it's quite challenging."

Of course, fans of the original are most excited to see how a now-wizened Harrison Ford reprises his role in the film. “It was a pleasure getting back to the world of Blade Runner,” Ford said.

We look forward to seeing you there, Rick Deckard.

Roger Deakinsblade runnerblade runner 2049Denis Villeneuveridley scott
Movies & TV