‘Blade Runner 2049’ Was A Career Gamble, Says Denis Villeneuve At BFI Event

At a BFI London Film Festival event on Saturday, Dune director Denis Villeneuve reflected on his career and the challenges he faced directing Blade Runner 2049, describing it as one of the riskiest films of his career. Speaking with Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Villeneuve shared insights into his filmmaking journey, Hollywood experiences and his decision to direct a sequel to one of his favorite films.

Villeneuve explained that Blade Runner 2049 (2017), which starred Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, was a particularly risky project for him. “In the past, I refused a few sci-fi films, big films, because I was not greedy… But after Sicario, I felt that I had the muscles to be able to carry a project like [Blade Runner 2049],” he said. He added that he saw the film as a potential career-defining project, remarking, “To make a sequel to my favorite film is a beautiful way to end my career.”

The director revealed how the opportunity to helm Blade Runner 2049 came about. While working on Prisoners, Villeneuve learned that Ridley Scott, who directed the original Blade Runner, was developing a sequel. Later, while filming Sicario, he received the call offering him the project. “Ridley is the most prolific, over-busy director. And when I direct one movie, Ridley does three things,” he joked, adding that Harrison Ford was “tired of waiting.”

Villeneuve also discussed his early career fears of losing his identity as a filmmaker in Hollywood, particularly when working on big-budget films like Prisoners (2013). However, he shared that his experience with Hollywood exceeded his expectations. “It was the best shooting experience of my life. I had never felt respected like that. They gave me everything I wanted,” he said.

The conversation touched on Villeneuve’s other films, including the success of Dune and its sequel, Dune: Part Two, which has grossed over $700 million worldwide. Reflecting on the challenges of directing such large-scale productions, Villeneuve admitted, “World building is very demanding. There’s always a day where I think it’s the worst day of my life… But I’ve learned… that you can always reshoot.”

The BFI London Film Festival runs from October 9 to 20.