Ridley Scott's Shocking Regret: Why He Now Wishes He Directed Blade Runner 2049

Summary

Ridley Scott wishes he had directed Blade Runner 2049 and expresses his regret over choosing to direct Alien: Covenant instead.

Scott acts as a producer for the upcoming Blade Runner television series, titled Blade Runner 2099.

Set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049, the series will introduce fresh characters and restrict the appearances of those previously seen in the films.

Blade Runner director Ridley Scott regrets not directing Blade Runner 2049. Originally slated to helm the long-awaited sequel, Scott stepped down and Denis Villeneuve took the reins instead. Scott remained involved as an executive producer while juggling the decision between Blade Runner 2049 and Alien: Covenant, ultimately choosing the latter. Both sci-fi films had lackluster box office performances, but Alien: Covenant garnered mixed reviews while Blade Runner 2049 was widely praised.

In an interview with Empire magazine (via Deadline), Scott expresses his desire to have directed Blade Runner 2049. While not criticizing Alien: Covenant, he mourns the missed opportunity of helming a Blade Runner sequel. Read Scott's remarks below:

"I shouldn’t have had to make that decision. But I had to. I should have done Blade Runner 2.”

What Is The Future Of The Blade Runner Franchise?

Despite not being able to direct the Blade Runner sequel, Scott is now involved in Prime Video's forthcoming Blade Runner television series. Titled Blade Runner 2099, the limited series will be produced by Scott and serve as a continuation of the events in Blade Runner 2049. Renowned Game of Thrones director Jeremy Podeswa has been enlisted to direct the pilot episode and will also take on the roles of producing director and executive producer. Podeswa's impressive resume includes directing six episodes of Game of Thrones, notably the premieres of seasons 6 and 7.

The franchise has a history of leaping forward in time, as seen in the thirty-year gap between Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. In Blade Runner 2049, there was a fifty-year jump to 2099, resulting in the likelihood that only a few characters from the previous movies will appear in the television series. While this presents an exciting opportunity to introduce new characters, it may also be perceived as a risk due to the lack of familiarity. The ending of Blade Runner 2049 left room for further exploration of K, Rick Deckard, Niander Wallace, and Dr. Ana Stelline at that particular point in the timeline.

Although Blade Runner 2049 received critical acclaim, its underperformance at the box office makes a third film highly unlikely. This is likely a contributing factor to the expansion of the franchise as a live-action television show. The franchise has also produced three short animated films and an anime series called Blade Runner: Black Lotus, which cover different events leading up to Blade Runner 2049. There are currently no confirmed plans to continue the animated content, making the Blade Runner sequel series the future of the franchise and an opportunity for Ridley Scott to have more creative control over a Blade Runner sequel story.

Source: Empire Magazine (via Deadline)