‘Blade Runner 2’ is set to feature Oscar-nominee Barkhad Abdi in a yet confirmed role. He joins Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in the ensemble cast.
According to /Film, Abdi has officially joined the ensemble cast of the upcoming sequel to the neo-noir and science-fiction film ‘Blade Runner’ released in 1982. Abdi is a Somali-American actor and film director.
He is best known for his role on ‘Captain Phillips’, for which he won numerous accolades including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as well as another nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.
His role for ‘Blade Runner 2’ remains unconfirmed. He joins Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Dave Bautista, Mackenzie Davis, and Robin Wright in the new film directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Ford is set to reprise his role as Blade Runner Rick Deckard. His character was the main protagonist in Ridley Scott’s original film, which depicted a dystopian Los Angeles set in the year 2019.
Gosling was previously speculated to take over as a young Rick Deckard but he may be playing a different character altogether. The 35-year old actor remained mum when asked about details during a previous interview.
Gosling joked, "I can't say too much about it because they've put a chip in my neck and my head will explode if I do." However, he added, "But I can tell you it's a sequel, not a remake, and Harrison Ford is in it."
The sequel will be shot by acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins, who also collaborated with Villeneuve on his crime-thriller films ‘Sicario’ and ‘Prisoners’. Ridley Scott will be producing the film together with Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Cynthia Sykes, and Bud Yorkin.
According to Mass Live, the film was originally scheduled to premiere on January 12, 2018 but has since been moved up to an October 6, 2017 release date.
‘Blade Runner 2’ is a yet untitled follow-up to the 1982 film of the same name. It is set several decades after the events of the first film.
