Barkhad Abdi joins “Blade Runner” sequel

Barkhad Abdi has joined the cast Alcon Entertainment's untitled “Blade Runner” sequel. Previously announced cast includes Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Carla Juri and Dave Bautista.

Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson made the announcement yesterday. Denis Villeneuve (“Sicario”) is directing with principal photography scheduled to begin in July.

The film will be released by Warner Bros. in North America on Oct. 6, 2017.

The sequel is set several decades after the 1982 original, with Ford reprising his role as Rick Deckard. Ridley Scott directed the original, which was set in 2019 Los Angeles with Deckard pursuing four replicants who had escaped from an off-world colony.

Abdi received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor in “Captain Phillips.” He also starred in the thriller “Eye in the Sky.”

Source: Variety