In the age of the blockbuster and franchise, R-ratings are a rarity (“Deadpool” and “Logan” are exceptions to the rule) as studios aim to get ticket sales from as many moviegoers as possible. But under the right conditions, with a budget that doesn’t put too much on the line, studios and producers will allow a filmmaker the freedom to craft the movie they want without worrying that a nine-year-old in Kansas won’t be able to see it.
This week saw the release of the first trailer for “Blade Runner 2049,” and not only did it serve as a terrific tease, director Denis Villeneuve confirms he’s not bound by any ratings restrictions when it comes to returning to dystopian Los Angeles.
“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 told Screen Daily. And yes, while Warner Bros. and Sony are handling the distribution of the film, Alcon Entertainment are producing it, hence calling it an “indie” movie.
The director also adds he’s kept the use of green screens to a minimum, preferring to shoot as much as possible in camera, and adds that the franchise could possibly keep going.
“I’m doomed, I love sci-fi. I have two more ideas now that I would love to do. [And] ‘Blade Runner’ could go on… we’ll see how this one goes,” he teased.
“Blade Runner 2049” opens on October 6, 2017. And hey Legendary, give Villeneuve a call about “Dune” already…..
