Following a teaser released earlier this week, Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve confirmed the filmmakers are aiming for an R rating for the sequel. In an exclusive interview with Screen Daily, the director spoke about the rating and the pressure behind it.
“My producers are finding it fun to remind me that it will be one of the most expensive R-rated independent feature films ever made,” Villeneuve disclosed.
The first blade runner was also rated R, for depictions of violence and nudity, so one can only hope that means the second installment will carry the same tone as the original. That fact alone has already managed to bolster confidence in the film, as a lot of modern reboots and sequels to classic films have been given lower ratings to reach a larger demographic and be more marketable.
Alongside continuing the tone of the first movie, Blade Runner 2049’s R rating is certainly influenced, and likely as a result of, the success of Deadpool. Many have already flocked to try to emulate and exploit that success, with the hope of exploring new and unique endeavors made possible by the foul mouthed merc.
The original Blade Runner certainly had some violent scenes
The interview ended on an interesting note, stating “I love sci-fi. I have two more ideas now that I would love to do.” This quote alone has already had sci-fi fans salivating at the mouth at the possibility of Villeneuve resurrecting and taking the helm of the one of the most influential sci-fi book franchise of all time, Dune.
But let’s not count the chickens before they hatch, as Blade Runner 2049 is by no means guaranteed to be a success sequel. We’ll just have to wait for the films release next year on October 6, 2017 to judge.
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