Science-fiction fans were recently treated to the exciting news of the new series Blade Runner 2099 coming to Amazon. While some are apprehensive about the beloved franchise making the jump to the small screen, there is also a lot of excitement among fans about what this could mean.
From the talent involved in the project to the universe in which the story takes place, Reddit exploded with fan enthusiasm for the news. So for anyone looking forward to Blade Runner 2099, these excited reactions will only make fans more eager for the series to come.
Silka Luisa's Track Record
Though very little information about the show was given as it was announced, fans did get the chance to learn some of the people who will be working behind the scenes to bring it to life. The showrunner for Blade Runner 2099 will be Silka Luisa.
Redditor dominic_tortilla expressed their excitement based on Luisa's past work, claiming that "Shining Girls is pretty great." Luisa's previous crime series starred Elizabeth Moss as a woman investigating the assault that left her constantly shifting realities.
Ridley Scott's Involvement
While Luisa is an exciting choice for a showrunner, there are some other very notable names already attached to Blade Runner 2099. But the one that will grab most fans' attention is Ridley Scott, the director of the original movie.
Blade Runner is just one of Ridley Scott's most rewatchable movies with a career that also includes Alien, The Martian, and last year's underrated The Last Duel. Redditor wicktus found that Scott's role as executive producer on this new series is "more than reassuring."
The Promise Of Raised By Wolves
While Ridley Scott's career on the big screen is certainly enough to get any fans excited about this project, some have looked to his recent television work as even more promising. Redditor 2th found that Scott's series Raised by Wolves "is legit some of the most original New Scifi we've gotten in awhile."
The show is set on an alien planet and follows androids who are tasked with raising human children. Though the show was canceled following its second season, fans found that its links to Blade Runner gave a glimpse at how great a Blade Runner series could be.
The Production Company Behind The Expanse
Turning such a beloved franchise into a show is a daunting task that makes fans of the original very nervous for how it will play out. They hope that the material is in the hands of people who will make the best possible show with it.
Redditor lightsongtheold pointed out that it is "worth noting" that Alcon Entertainment will be the production company behind Blade Runner 2099, specifically because of their other acclaimed Amazon sci-fi series The Expanse.
Coupled With The Alien Series
While some fans lament the trend of mining any and all IP to make the latest series, it is exciting to see some of these franchises continue in a long-form way. Another Ridley Scott sci-fi classic getting a series is Alien.
Fans might not know these moves are connected which could make for some interesting exploration of their lore. However, Redditor Zedab simply expressed the thrill of "two of my favorite sci-fi films getting a TV sequel."
Giving The Blade Runner Franchise A Chance To Be A Hit
Despite both Blade Runner movies having plenty of love among fans, they are counted as some of the best movies that bombed at the box office. It seems the franchise struggles to find its audience at the right time, but a television series could change that.
With audiences seemingly more willing to spend time with a challenging story on television rather than in a theater, one Redditor suggested that "a TV show might attract viewers than watching a 3 hour movie." This could be the chance for Blade Runner to find the audience it deserves.
Amazon's Success With Big Shows
A Blade Runner series is something a lot of networks and streaming services would likely have been very interested in. However, there are some fans who are hesitant about Amazon taking the reins of such an important franchise.
Redditor mininestime was one of many fans who pointed out that Amazon actually "has a good track record with high end Ips." From superhero shows like The Boys and Invincible to crime shows like Reacher and Bosch to a big-budget epic like Rings of Power, Amazon has done a lot of good series.
The Set-Up Of Blade Runner 2049
Despite its failure at the box office, many found Blade Runner 2049 to be a sequel that was worth the wait. Certainly, there are some fans who would have preferred to see the franchise continue with another movie to round out the trilogy, Blade Runner 2049 set up a very exciting world for the story to continue in.
The mystery at the center of the sequel reveals that Replicants are able to procreate. Redditor thetruemask suggested this proposed there were a "lot of ways to go" with that story from war to Replicants supremacy.
A Further Step Into The Future
Returning for the legacy sequel Blade Runner 2049, the franchise gave a thrilling look at how this world of the original had changed over the years. With those developments introduced in Blade Runner 2049, this next step into the future is even more exciting.
While some fans would have liked to see a more direct sequel, Redditor reciprocal_space found it "interesting to take a big time jump" when the ramifications of this new world order have truly set in and changed everything.
Blade Runner Has Many More Stories To Tell
There is a sense among some fans that the announcement of this latest series continues the trend of streaming services attempting to milk existing franchises for all they are worth. There is a fear of turning beloved stories into simply content.
While that is a legitimate concern, with only two movies over the course of 40 years, Blade Runner is far from being overused. One Redditor suggested that with such rich mythology as this, "there’s a lot to be explored in a tv series."