Ryan Gosling in Talks To Star in ‘Blade Runner 2’

Although initially the idea of a sequel to Ridley Scott’s (Exodus: Gods and Kings) 1982 classic Blade Runner might have been something to scoff at for many purists and fans of the original, it seems like the film has been gaining some positive traction since that news first broke. First, after director Scott pulled out of directing the film, came word that Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) would be taking over, giving the sequel potentially exciting new vision. Now comes rumblings that Ryan Gosling (Drive) is in talks to join Villeneuve, making the once derided idea of a sequel very promising news.

Gosling would join actor Harrison Ford (Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens) – set to reprise his role as the replicant hunting Rick Deckard – in an unspecified role. For Gosling, Blade Runner 2 would be the first sci-fi film the actor has been involved in, as one glance through his filmography shows he has tendency to gravitate towards films more rooted in reality, whether action or romance. In fact, one would have to go all the way back to Gosling’s Young Hercules (1998-99) days to find anything remotely fantastical in his work (although the actor is currently rumored to have a potential starring role in Guillermo Del Toro’s The Haunted Mansion). However, if Villeneuve and writers Hampton Francher (a writer on the original Blade Runner) and Michael Green (Green Lantern) stay loyal to the original, Blade Runner 2 will still maintain the noir elements that should be perfectly suited to Gosling’s talents.

As far as 2015 goes, Gosling made his directorial debut with Lost River, which was just released theatrically and on VOD, and he’s slated to appear in Terrence Malick’s second film of this year, Weightless. Beyond that, the actor has film lined up with Shane Black titled The Nice Guys as well as Adam McKay’s The Big Short, not to mention rumors of potential pairing with Whiplash director Damien Chazelle, along with Guillermo Del Toro’s aforementioned Haunted Mansion. No matter what, Gosling should be working with a slew of talented filmmakers in the next few years.