TV Film new: Ryan Gosling 'in talks' to star opposite Harrison Ford in 'Blade Runner 2'

Ryan Gosling is "in negotiations" to star opposite Harrison Ford in the long-awaited sequel to Blade Runner, according to Deadline.

Ridley Scott will not direct the sequel to his 1982 sci-fi classic, but is on board as an executive producer. Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Incendies) is set to direct from a script written by Hampton Fancher, co-writer of the original, and Michael Green, who is also working on Scott's forthcoming Prometheus sequel.

The idea for the sequel, which is said to be set several decades after the conclusion of Blade Runner, was devised by Scott and Fancher. Scott has previously revealed that Ford's iconic character Rick Deckard will not appear in the entirety of Blade Runner 2, saying: "Harrison is very much part of this one, but really it’s about finding him; he comes in in the third act." Ford spoke encouragingly about the Blade Runner sequel earlier this year, saying: "I think it would be very interesting to revisit the character."

Further plot details and the identity of Gosling's character are being kept under wraps. Shooting is apparently due to start next summer (2016).

Blade Runner: The Final Cut, the only version of the film over which Scott had complete creative control, was re-released in UK cinemas earlier this month (April). Read the NME review here.