'BLADE RUNNER' SEQUEL TO GET INTERNATIONAL RELEASE FROM SONY. Warner Bros. Pictures remains the distributor in North America

26/01/2016 - Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute Alcon Entertainment’s SEQUEL to Blade Runner in international territories.

Warner Bros. Pictures remains the distributor in North America per the studio's output agreement with Alcon.

Denis Villeneuve, who last directed Sicario, is helming the film, which stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, the latter of whom is reprising his role as replicant hunter Rick Deckard.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in July.

Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green wrote the new screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridley Scott. The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original.

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.

Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit.

Said Sony's Tom Rothman: "At Sony, we have made a strong commitment to the international marketplace. We know of few projects with greater international potential than the long-dreamed of sequel to Blade Runner, especially given the all-star creative team Andrew and Broderick have assembled. Working on a Blade Runner film also fulfills a long-time personal ambition, as I deeply love and admire the original".

("The Hollywood Reporter")