Dave Bautista has confirmed he is to star in ‘Blade Runner 2’.
The WWE Superstar-turned-actor is the latest addition to the sci-fi sequel and joins a cast that already includes Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright and Ana de Armas.
Dave teased fans about his new role three weeks ago when he posted a photograph of himself holding a tiny origami unicorn.
The throwback reference to the original film was picked up by fans online, who remembered origami was used extensively throughout Sir Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic and in the final scene, Ford’s character Rick Deckard is seen holding an origami unicorn – which was inserted by director to indicate Deckard is, in fact, a replicant android.
Now Bautista – whose other credits include major roles in ‘Spectre’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ – has posted a video on his Twitter account revealed his exciting news.
In the clip, he says: "Hey guys, Dave Bautista here, and as speculated I am proud and honoured to announce that I am joining the cast of new ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Blade Runner 2’, directed by the amazing Denis Villeneuve. I’m very excited about this project and very grateful that I was able to bring the news to you myself. Couldn’t be more proud. Another dream come true, anyway you heard it here first. ‘Blade Runner 2’. Peace."
Original director Scott is on board as an executive producer but movie bosses have remained tight lipped on the characters’ names and plot lines.
However, the sequel is believed to be set several decades after Scott’s film, which depicted a dystopian Los Angeles in which replicants are used for dangerous work in Earth’s colonies in outer space.
The 1982 movie saw Deckard as a burnt-out special police operative – known as a Blade Runner – who lives in a dystopian Los Angeles, take on one last assignment to track down a rogue replicant.
And the original film’s co-writer, Hampton Fancher, has returned to pen the script with ‘Green Lantern’ co-writer Michael Green.
Production on the sequel is set to begin in July and news that the as-yet untitled movie will be released earlier than expected in 2017 broke last week
Speaking previously about the script and Harrison’s involvement, Ridley said: "It’s written and it’s damn good. Of course it involves Harrison, who is a survivor after all these years. So yes, that will happen."
Dave Bautista to star in Blade Runner 2
