If you still have concerns about the Blade Runner sequel, you can now seemingly rest assured that it should look good. Because director Denis Villeneuve has hired regular collaborator (and even more regular Oscar nominee) Roger Deakins as his cinematographer for the film.
The sequel is still in development, with Hampton Fancher and Michael Green at work on the script. While Ryan Gosling has reportedly been in talks to star in the movie, there is no confirmation of a deal or whether he even got to the negotiating stage. Plot details naturally remain scant, but we do know that Harrison Ford in aboard to reprise his iconic role as conflicted cop Rick Deckard.
Deakins, who has now been nominated for 12 Oscars without a win, worked with Villeneuve on Prisoners and the director’s latest, Sicario, which has been premiering at Cannes. “Roger is an extraordinary talent and we are very excited that Denis and Roger have chosen to continue their collaboration in bringing the sequel to Blade Runner to the big screen,” say producers Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson in a statement.
Given the Academy’s usual attitude to science fiction – the original Blade Runner scored two nominations, for its effects and art decoration – we doubt the sequel will be the movie that finally brings gong justice to Deakins, but stranger things have happened. He’s been busy most recently reuniting with the Coen brothers on Hail, Caesar!, which will be with us on February 26 next year.