5 Clues About 'Blade Runner 2' Hint at Whether It'll be Great or Terrible

This week we learned that Blade Runner 2 begins shooting in July, only five months away. A sequel to the 1982 cult classic seems like a terrible idea, but let’s take a look at what we know so far to decide if we should be worried or excited.

First: Ridley Scott, director of the original movie, is producing. Recently he had a big sci-fi success with The Martian, but the last time he tried reviving one of his old hits, we got Prometheus, which a lot of people thought was a disappointing addition to the Alien franchise. We’re gonna mark this one as a tossup.

Then: Denis Villeneuve, the director, is hot off of Sicario and the trippy Enemy. He’s already proved he’s got the right blend of atmospherics, lush visuals, and grittiness. Visuals are a major key for Blade Runner, so this one gets an “exciting.”

Fact No. 3: Harrison Ford is attached to return. Who doesn’t love Harrison Ford? He was great as Han Solo in The Force Awakens, but nostalgia and themes of family don’t have a place in the cynical, acid-rain world of Blade Runner. Besides, you weren’t supposed to know whether Deckard was or wasn’t a replicant. Hard to imagine Blade Runner 2 won’t kill that ambiguity. This one gets a “worrying.”

No. 4: The original writer, Hampton Fancher, is back. This one’s definitely “exciting.” That’s really all there is to say about that.

Last, will original composer, Vangelis, be back? Vangelis’s brooding music was even more important to Blade Runner than Ridley Scott’s direction. Until we know for sure, we just can’t be sold on this one.

So our final tally is — well, actually, it’s neck-and-neck. So much for being able to put our minds at ease on this movie one way or the other. We’ll just have to hit up our nearest neon-lit noodle bar and drown our sorrows. Sigh. Let us know what you think in the comments below.