Joining an already impressive line-up, Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi is set to star in the unnamed sequel to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner according an exclusive by Entertainment Weekly.
While there has been no information released on the actor’s role, Abdi is joining a star-studded cast with talent such as Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, and Harrison Ford having signed onto the project already. Other actors such as Dave Bautista, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, and Carla Juri are also attached to the film.
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Abdi is best-known for his stunning performance in Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips alongside Tom Hanks. The film, which was released in 2013, gained critical acclaim as the project told the true story of the events which unfolded after the Maersk Alabama was hijacked in 2009. Captain Richard Phillips, a merchant mariner at the time, was taken hostage by a group of pirates in the Indian Ocean before being rescued by a team of Navy SEALS. Abdi was cast in the film after a grueling selection process, and his work went on to earn him nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards. His appearance in the film marked the actors’ first ever role within the film industry.
As for the Blade Runner sequel, few details have been released about its development aside from casting updates. The film is said to be set several decades after the events of Ridley Scott’s 1982 film, and Warner Bros. will be releasing the film to theaters on October 6th 2017 for domestic audiences. Sony will then be releasing the film overseas later in the year. As for the film’s crew, fans were disappointed to learn that Ridley Scott would not be returning to direct the Blade Runner sequel, but Prisoners director Denis Villeneuve is set to helm the film with Roger Deakins acting as cinematographer.
