The wait is over. Today, Warner Brothers finally released the first full-length trailer for Blade Runner 2049, the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scotts's 1982 science fiction classic. Fans were already hyped for the film, and really, why wouldn't they be? Scott is serving as an executive producer and Harrison Ford is set to reprise his role as Deckard. New additions to the cast and crew include Ryan Gosling as Ford's co-lead and director Denis Villeneuve at the helm. Everything, from the supporting cast to the crew, seemed like the perfect ingredients for an exciting second chapter in the epic series.
The trailer lived up to the hype, with fans going wild over the stunning visuals and hints at the mysterious plot. They're right to be excited - the trailer is gorgeous and intriguing, without giving away too much. Of course, there are specific moments that are highlights. Here are the biggest things we noticed about the latest trailer.
The Cinematography
It would be impossible to talk about the trailer without first talking about Roger Deakin's absolutely stunning cinematography. Visually, the film looks rich and gorgeous. Colorful in a way that doesn't seem cartoonish, Deakins's visuals are a treat for the eyes. He skillfully captures the world of Blade Runner while still putting a his own mark on the film. As a three-time collaborator with Villeneuve, it's easy to see why Deakins was the first choice for this project; as Villeneuve said in an interview, he went "wild" with the visuals. A thirteen-time Academy Award nominee, this film might seal the deal on Deakins' fourteenth nomination, and possibly his first win.
The Score
When it was announced that original Blade Runner composer Vangelis would not be returning for the film, some fans worried that the music would not have the same ominous and memorable feel as the original score. Academy Award nominee Jóhann Jóhannsson was brought on to score the film, and if this trailer is any indicator, he more than rises to the challenge. Fans remarked on how similar the score in the trailer is to the original film, and how well it sets the tone of the world. The trailer music might not be used in the actual film, but so far any and all fears have been assuaged by the trailer's music. Much like Deakins, Jóhannsson was the right choice to bring the world of Blade Runner to life.
Evolution of the Universe
The sequel also does an excellent job of looking like it belongs in the world of the first film, while still looking like a unique follow-up. The world of Blade Runner 2049 looks like it takes place in the same universe as Blade Runner, but it also looks as though time has passed and the world has changed. Take the massive holograms - they look similar to those found in the first film, but the technology has clearly evolved and changed between both films. The most important element is that the world still looks grimy, foggy, and well-lived in. The grit is what made the first film so unique; it's important that the sequel still captures that feel instead of making everything shiny and clean. That would take away some of the impact of the film.
The Supporting Cast
The teaser for Blade Runner 2049 only showed us glimpses of Gosling's K and Ford's Deckard, but kept the rest of the cast shrouded in mystery, whereas this trailer highlights more of the cast members, including Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, and Ana de Armas. The most notable exception is Edward James Olmos's Gaff, who does not appear. Given that he has significant ties to Deckard's past, which we will touch on later, it makes sense that he's shrouded with secrecy, as his involvement might venture into spoiler territory. Of course, one supporting cast member gets the lion's share of the spotlight, with good reason...
Jared Leto's Villain
Academy Award winner Jared Leto is bringing a second villain to life on the silver screen. His role in the trailer is scary in how gentle it is - most notably during an eerie birth scene with a replicant, during which he coos, "happy birthday." He is interested in pursuing both K and Deckard, though why he's interested in them remains a mystery. He's also not entirely human, as evidenced by the trailer. Whether he's a replicant who's gained power, or some other type of non-human, remains to be seen. He establishes a strong presence in the trailer though, and will no doubt prove to be a formidable and frightening villain in the full film.
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The Mysterious Plot
While the trailer is moody and atmospheric, it also keeps the actual plot mostly shrouded in mystery. We know K is a cop, and that he wants to find Deckard. We know Leto is pursuing K, and most likely Deckard as well. But we don't know exactly why Leto's villain is after them, or why K even is interested in Deckard in the first place. We also don't know who the remainder of the cast is playing; even their names are kept secret. The trailer does an excellent job of teasing without giving away any of the central mysteries. Instead, it relies on nostalgia and powerful visuals to draw viewers in and make them want to uncover more of the secrets hidden in the film. This is a smart marketing move, as it builds hype without spoiling the surprise.
Deckard's Journey
Ford's turn as Rick Deckard is one of the most iconic science fiction performances of all time, and fans are naturally eager to know what happened between the end of Blade Runner and the start of Blade Runner 2049. Thirty years have elapsed between films, leaving a wide gap in the timeline for Villeneuve to fill. With the return of Olmos's Gaff, and without the return of Sean Young's Rachael, fans are wondering what happened to Deckard in those three decades. It also depends on what version of the ending Villeneuve is following; given the fact that Rachael is absent, we can guess that it is probably not the happy ending of the original cut. Deckard's past is now a mystery, one that we will most likely have to wait until October to unravel.
Numbers On the Rock
At one point in the trailer, we see K rubbing what is either soot or snow off of a rock, revealing the numbers 6, 10, and 21. Fans have already taken to message boards debating whether or not it's a date or a serial number. What's particularly interesting is the line that is overlaid with this shot - Leto saying, "the key to the future is finally unearthed." Does this mean that K is on the path to discovering what Leto's character is seeking? Or are these two unconnected moments? Or is this, perhaps, Rachael's grave and the date of her death? This will most likely be another reveal left until the film's release, but it will no doubt be the source of a great deal of speculation over the next few months.
Pages in a Book
Pages and books are clearly key to unraveling the mystery of Blade Runner 2049. The marketing team hyped up the trailer with the tagline "there are still pages left in this story," and the trailer concludes with de Armas's Joi telling K, "I always told you you're special. Your story isn't over yet. There's still a page left." This line is said over a shot of K staring down at a book with pages ripped out of it. Clearly, there is something important in that book, otherwise we wouldn't be getting so many references to it. Is this what hides the answers that both K and Leto's villain are seeking? Or does it hint at a plot point that's still shrouded in mystery? Either way, it is without a doubt very important, and will also be a source of speculation for die hard fans.
Of course, there's one theory that's already gaining traction, and it's to be expected...
Is K a Replicant?
The original Blade Runner never answers the question about whether or not Deckard is a replicant fully, but it does have multiple hints that he is. Already, fans are debating whether or not the trailer hints that K is a replicant. Some take the lines about him being special to mean that he is a replicant, and that the numbers he discovers are his own serial numbers. They point to a scene where he seems to burst through a wall as another hint that he is a replicant. If he is, that would be a pretty big spoiler for the trailer to reveal, but it could be that they want us to speculate on K's humanity prior to the film. Themes of what makes one human are what set the original Blade Runner apart from the crowd; without question they'd want to bring those into the sequel. K's humanity, whether he's a replicant or not, will no doubt be crucial to the overall story.
