The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original, which centered on a man (Ford) working as a police operative who is tasked with chasing down machines called replicants.

Alcon Entertainment acquired the rights to Blade Runner in 2011 with the intention of making both prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Bud Yorkin will serve as a producer on the sequel along with Alcon co-founders Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin.

Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEOs of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

Villeneuve most recently directed the crime thriller Sicario, staring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. He also directed Canada’s Oscar-nominated French-language film Incendies and Prisoners, starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Ford next will be seen in Lionsgate's The Age of Adaline and will reprise his role as Han Solo in Disney's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He's repped by UTA.