Warner Bros., who had distributed its predecessor, released the film on behalf of Alcon in North America, while Sony handled distribution in international markets. Blade Runner 2049 was financed through a partnership between Alcon Entertainment and Sony Pictures, as well as a Hungarian government-funded tax rebate. Ridley Scott stepped down as the film's initial director and worked as an executive producer, while Villeneuve was later appointed to direct. Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson obtained the film rights from Bud Yorkin. Ideas for a Blade Runner sequel were first proposed in the 1990s, but licensing issues stalled their development. Gosling plays K, a Nexus-9 replicant 'blade runner' who uncovers a secret that threatens to destabilize society and the course of civilization.
Ford and Edward James Olmos reprise their roles from the original film. A sequel to the 1982 film Blade Runner, the film stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, with Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, and Jared Leto in supporting roles. Blade Runner 2049 is a 2017 American epic neo-noir science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green.
