The 'Blade Runner' sequel: 'Unnecessary nonsense'?

Film buffs are aghast at news that Alcon Entertainment, a Hollywood production company, is nearing a deal to make a prequel or sequel to Blade Runner. Ridley Scott's seminal 1982 film, based loosely on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, starred Harrison Ford as a Los Angeles police officer hunting down "replicants," or robots that are indistinguishable from humans. The movie was a box-office disappointment, grossing less than $28 million. But over the years it has become an influential part of the science-fiction canon. Now Alcon, which produced The Book of Eli and Insomnia, is buying partial rights that would allow it to release related products and movies, but not a remake of the original. Some are calling the idea "unnecessary nonsense." Does Blade Runner need a spin-off?

No! No! A thousand times no! The only way this could be worse is if they cast Shia LeBeouf, or bring in Gwyneth Paltrow to sing, says Emma Rowley at Indie Movies Online. Actually, on second thought, this idea could not possibly be "more grisly." Some films don't need spin-offs, and this is one of them.

"Blade Runner rights to be sold: How could we hate this more?"

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It might not be that bad: If this has to happen, "I hope Alcon doesn't play it safe," says Russ Fischer at /Film. Since the Alcon team has made films like The Blind Side and The Book of Eli that play to Christian audiences, maybe a movie exploring the spiritual issues raised by Blade Runner is a smart approach. "That's actually an angle I'd like to see."

"Blade Runner prequel/sequel producers offer vague statements of intent"

This will only work if Ridley Scott is involved: The big question is whether Ridley Scott will be involved, says Edward Davis at Indiewire. While the producers say they'd love to have the director on board, they haven't even met him. That needs to happen, because a Blade Runner project without Scott is like "a Big Mac without the meat."

"Alcon Entertainment secures rights to Blade Runner prequels & sequels"