It took several decades before Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner would receive an actual sequel. This film, titled Blade Runner 2049, was released in 2017 and helped revive the brand. For example, a short-lived animated series titled Blade Runner: Black Lotus premiered in late 2021. Now it looks like the first live-action Blade Runner series will be next to follow. It’s just been announced that Amazon has ordered Blade Runner 2099.
As one might assume by the title, Blade Runner 2099 is expected to take place 50 years after the events of Blade Runner 2049. This means that the series will also take place 80 years after the original film which was set in 2019. As for now, however, any other plot details are being kept under wraps. But, following this announcement from Variety, it is exciting to see that the Blade Runner franchise is finally expanding after so many decades of silence.
Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Amazon Studios, noted how excited they are “to introduce ‘Blade Runner 2099‘” to their “global Prime Video customers.” He also added that they “are honored to be able to present this continuation of the ‘Blade Runner‘ franchise.” He further noted they’re “confident that by teaming up with Ridley, Alcon Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and the remarkably talented Silka Luisa, ‘Blade Runner 2099‘ will uphold the intellect, themes, and spirit of its film predecessors.”
Similarly, Alcon Entertainment co-founders Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson had the following to say:
“We are delighted to continue our working relationship with our friends at Amazon,” they began. “And we are beyond excited to continue to extend the ‘Blade Runner’ canon into a new realm with the provocative storyline that Silka has created. Audiences first discovered Ridley Scott’s brilliant vision for ‘Blade Runner’ 40 years ago, and since then, it has become one of the most influential science-fiction films of all time. Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up sequel, ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ then became one of the best reviewed sequels of all time. So, we recognize that we have a very high bar to meet with this next installment. Together with Silka and our partners at Amazon, and Scott Free Productions, we hope that we can live up to that standard and delight audiences with the next generation of ‘Blade Runner.’”
It’s also been revealed that Silka Luisa will serve as a showrunner and executive producer for the series. Meanwhile, original Blade Runner director Ridley Scott will serve as an executive producer on the series under his Scott Free Productions banner.
Blade Runner 2049 co-writer Michael Green will executive produce alongside Alcon Entertainment co-founders Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Alcon’s head of television Ben Roberts, David W. Zucker and Clayton Krueger of Scott Free, Cynthia Yorkin, Frank Giustra, and Isa Dick Hackett. Furthermore, executive producer Tom Spezialy has joined the writers room for the series.