[Update: Bautista’s casting has been confirmed via press release, which notes he’s playing “an important supporting role” in the film.]
Looks likeGuardians of the GalaxystarDave Bautistamay be joiningHarrison FordandRyan Goslingin the cast ofBlade Runner 2. The wrester-turned-actor dropped a pretty specific tease on his twitter account today, posting an image of himself holding an origami unicorn reminescent of the one seen inRidley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi film. Ford is reprising his role of detective Rick Deckard for the sequel withSicariohelmerDenis Villeneuveset to direct.
If Bautista’s post is indeed a tease of a role inBlade Runner 2(Bautista’s wrestling fans are speculating it has something to do with “New Day”, but the pensive nature of the image and the fact that it’s a freaking origami unicorn point pretty firmly in the direction ofBlade Runner), the timing would make sense. We know for sure thatBlade Runner 2is casting up, asRobin Wrightrecently joined the cast in an unknown key role, so if he is boarding the sci-fi sequel, an official announcement should be imminent. For now, check out Bautista’s image below and speculate wildly.
In terms of production schedules, the timing would also make sense. Bautista is currently filmingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which kicked off production back in February.Blade Runneris currently slated to begin production this july, giving him plenty of time to wrap his work on Guardians before heading into the world of replicants.
The as yet untitledBlade Runnersequel is scripted byHampton Fancher(who co-wrote the original) andMichael Green, based on a story by Fancher and Ridley Scott (who remains on board as executive producer). The story continues several decades after the events of the original film, which was set in a dystopian futuristic Los Angeles – well, futuristic at the time – the film was set in 2019. Blade Runner 2 reunites Villeneuve with legendary cinematographerRoger Deakins, who previously shotPrisonersandSicariofor the director.Blade Runner 2isset to arrive in theatersJanuary 12, 2018.
