It seems as though Hollywood has simply run out of ideas (or is blatantly choosing to ignore original material in favour of producing less risky films; which already have an inbuilt market), and as a result cinema timetables are now peppered with countless adaptations, sequels, remakes and reboots; and as a film with such a massively influential cult status, it now appears Warner Bros. are looking to further cash-in on Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner.
Alcon Entertainment (a subsidiary of Warner Bros.) recently acquired the rights to Blade Runner, and are already looking to bring it back to the big screen; with executives saying that whilst they “have long-term goals for the franchise [including acquiring TV and further franchise rights]” and will not be “limited to one medium”, Blade Runner is apparently a “favourite film” for them, and they “recognize the responsibility” they have “to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel produced.”
Many fans have been disappointed by the announcement; feeling that Scott’s 1982 movie is as good as it gets (something seen by the frequency with which it tops the list of best sci-fi movie in numerous publications, and the huge cultural impact it continues to have), and that Blade Runner’s world needs no further expansion; as the original film was wonderfully executed, and a truly great adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?; dealing with a future in which human clones were used for dangerous work, until they rebelled against their masters, fled, and were subsequently hunted by ‘runners.’
And while it’s easy to see that there is almost limitless potential for movie prequels (showing the clones initial rebellion), sequels (which could be taken in a number of interesting directions), and a TV show (where a runner tracks down a replicant; clone; each week), it’s also easy to see why most fans remain skeptical (one only has to look at the various Terminator incarnations, since Judgement Day, to see how the reputation and memory of a successful franchise can be sullied); however they can delight in knowing that Alcon’s acquisition of the Blade Runner rights currently doesn’t provide them with the option of creating a remake.
