Alcon Buys Rights to ‘Blade Runner’ Follow-Up

Warner Bros-based production company Alcon Entertainment is in final negotiations to acquire film, television, and ancillary franchise rights to create prequels and/or sequels to Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner.

The company released an official statement on Wednesday calling the purchase (which excludes remake rights) the most significant acquisition deal in Alcon’s 13-year history.  ”We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only,” said co-founders Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.  ”Blade Runner” the TV series?

Predictably, the knee-jerk reaction from the Web was one of outrage.  ”How could they!” many typed into comments sections before pressing the submit key angrily.  It’s a natural response, of course, but in my opinion a rather close-minded one when you consider the immense potential for expanding on the alternate 2019.  Does it help to know the original movie was based on a previous work, specifically the Phillip K. Dick novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”  Does it matter that not only will the original remain, but it’s being preserved in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry?  What about if Scott directed?

The producers admitted to the LA Times they “haven’t met Ridley” but the thought of re-engaging him into that world would be “wonderful.”  After all, Scott is already quasi-sort-of returning to his other beloved sci-fi baby, Alien, with the prequel-esque project Prometheus.  Perhaps it’s due to Scott’s involvement, but I haven’t seen fanatics hurrying to draft an online petition for that film or crying out “Nooo!” in their very best Darth Vader impression.  Nor did I see anyone get up in arms when Moon director Duncan Jones described his now-shelved sophomore film as Blade Runner-esque.  Is it the “esque” that makes it okay?

A recent Box Office Mojo report shows that 2011 will set a record for most number of sequels, prequels, and remakes, a sobering reminder that collective audiences want more of what they already love even if it lacks creativity.  I’m not defending Hollywood’s propensity for brand milking.  Who really wants to see a Highlander reboot rewritten by the woman who adapted Twilight?  But in a reality, this reality, where that sort of cinematic recycling is not only commonplace but actively strengthening, isn’t it just a little exciting to return to the neon, neo-noir dystopia rather than the who-cares pop drama of The Bodyguard?  If you can’t muster even the least bit of curiosity, well, no one’s forcing you to see it, just as no one made you watch Hannibal Rising or Alien Resurrection.