Knock Knock star Ana de Armas will join Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright and Dave Bautista for the upcoming Blade Runner sequel, it was announced by Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
Ana de Armas’ role is said to be a lead in the film, which has Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners) directing. Principal photography is scheduled to begin July 2016. The film will be released by Warner Bros. in North America and Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute in all media for all overseas territories.
Cuban born Ana de Armas began her career in Spanish language film and television in Cuba, then later Spain. She will be seen in two major motion pictures releasing this August, including The Weinstein Company’s boxing biopic Hands of Stone, in which she appears alongside Robert De Niro and Edgar Ramirez, and Warner Bros.’ comedic drama War Dogs, starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller.
“We think Ana is one of the most exciting, up-and-coming international actors in the world today,” say Johnson and Kosove, “and we are thrilled she will be playing such an important part in this sequel.”
The sequel is set several decades after the 1982 original, with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role as Rick Deckard. The film is written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, and succeeds the initial story by Fancher and David Peoples based on Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.” Full story details are not being revealed.
Multi-Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Sicario, Prisoners) will reunite with Villeneuve on the project.
Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to Blade Runner in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Johnson and Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit.
Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers. Ridley Scott will also executive produce. Bill Carraro will executive produce.
