Will the release of Dune: Part Two last week, director Denis Villeneuve is in the spotlight for all the right reasons – and it’s definitely an epic masterpiece of a film.
Villeneuve also directed Blade Runner 2049 – another incredible movie – and the filmmaker recently shared a bit of reflection on making it with The Hollywood Reporter, and why he’ll never make another ‘legacy’ movie – in other words, creating a sequel to someone else’s vision (in this case, it was Ridley Scott‘s).
Here’s what Villeneuve had to say:
Blade Runner is one of my favourite films, and it’s absolutely a masterpiece. Ridley Scott is one of my favourite filmmakers, and even though he had given his blessing, it was very important for me to hear it and see it in his eyes that he was OK with me doing the movie at the time. But I was constantly thinking about the original film as I was making Blade Runner 2049. It was impossible not to.
The director then went on to reveal why he will never make a legacy sequel again:
So 2049 was really a love letter to the first film, but it was by far one of the most difficult projects I’ve ever done, and I don’t think I will ever approach someone else’s universe again. I still wake up sometimes at night, saying, ‘Why did I do that?’ I’d declined a few other projects of that scale, but at the time, I said to myself, ‘It’s a crazy project, but it’s worth the risk of losing everything.’
Personally, I think that’s a really smart choice, and I can completely understand his reasons… although, I also have to say that I’m hecka glad he DID make Blade Runner 2049. Why? Because I abso-freakin-lutely adore it, that’s why. Blade Runner 2049 is my ultimate relaxation movie; it’s beautifully made, the audio relaxes me, and I love every second.
It may not have been a hit at the box office, but I certainly saw it at the cinema multiple times.
What do you think of Villeneuve staying away from legacy movies from now on – any hopes dashed, or do you think it’s absolutely the right choice for the director only to stick to his own vision from now on?
