If you were to ask “what does it mean to be wholly human?” I should respond, “I don’t know.” But I do know. It means being Ryan Gosling. I mean, c’mon. Those eyes and that smile are scientific evidence that the person attached to them has it allll figured out. That’s why the news that he’s in talks to join the Blade Runner sequel is both right on the money and worthy of eliciting *squees* from fans of the original movie & fans of Gosling himself.

Blade Runner is one of those interesting examples of films that didn’t do too hot at the box office upon its release, but in the intervening years becomes a touchstone of pop culture. Even for you younger folk who might not have seen the movie, you most likely recognize that title. It helps that Harrison Ford was the star, because all of the sci-fi & fantasy properties he gets involved in — ever heard of  a thing called *ahem* Star Wars? — tend to have very long shelf-lives. Ford is also returning for the sequel, reprising his role as Rick Deckard.

Details of Gosling’s role are scarce because this is early in the contractual talks stage. So all of this pent-up desire that I we have to see him either take on the Replicants — or maybe star as a Replicant?! — could be for nought, but it’s a smart decision to bring him aboard. Ridley Scott is serving as Executive Producer to this sequel of his original work, and so it could help calm some purist fanboys out there knowing that cool-as-the-other-side-of-the-pillow-Gosling is bringing that trademark steely sense of self to the franchise.

I know some people weren’t exactly fawning over Prometheus when Scott decided to expand the Alien franchise, but I liked it well enough and think a Blade Runner sequel could be a welcome addition to the cinematic zeitgeist. What about you?

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HT Deadline