Blade Runner 2099 is the next title in the prolific science fiction franchise, and it could confirm a theory that fans have speculated about for years. The original Blade Runner film, directed by Ridley Scott, is one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made, and it’s only grown more appealing over time due to the Final Cut’s release in the 2000s and the Denis Villeneuve sequel film from 2017.
While Blade Runner has never been the most profitable IP, Amazon is trying to revitalize it with a fresh approach on television, with Blade Runner 2099 being the title for the new series in development, which has Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), Michelle Yeoh (Everything, Everywhere, All at Once), and Tom Burke (Furiosa), set to star. Blade Runner is one of many classic sci-fi film franchises to pivot to television in recent years, with Alien: Earth set to premiere on Hulu and FX in August, and Star Wars becoming a frequent title on Disney+ since The Mandalorian premiered in 2019.
Blade Runner & Alien Could Finally Be Confirmed To Exist In The Same Universe
There Have Only Been Hints In The Past
Notably, Blade Runner has always been a thematically-focused film series, with its two movies both using sci-fi as a vessel to explore ideas about human consciousness, AI, and more. With an extended, longer form narrative on television, Amazon’s television sequel will have a unique opportunity to explore more of the world-building, similar to what Alien: Earth is doing with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and other aspects of its own world.
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With expanded media like comics, it’s essentially confirmed that Blade Runner and Alien exist in the same universe. In films, however, there are only brief Easter eggs that hint at the connection. Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner begins with Officer Gaff getting into his spinner to see a blue screen turn into a red “purge” screen, which Ripley also sees in the escape pod at the end of Alien. In a 1999 Alien DVD release, an extra feature including character biographies cited Dallas as a previous client of Blade Runner’s Tyrell Corporation.
Essentially, these two film franchises are only truly connected by the headcanons of fans who appreciate the shared aesthetics. These connections are put in place to suggest the idea, but it’s left vague enough to create a sense of wonder and mystique, an element that enhances both titles. Having new shows expand the worlds of both shows seems like an opportune way to continue developing that mystique. Especially since Alien: Earth is rumored to have a Predator in its first season, including more inter-universe connections could be really fun.
Blade Runner 2099 Has Almost Caught Up To Alien
Alien Is Set In The Year 2122
With those connections in mind, and the fact that Ridley Scott was at the inception of both franchises, it makes sense that audiences would question the possibility. Blade Runner is set in 2019, and the original Alien is set in 2122. However, with Blade Runner 2099 on the way, the gap is closer than ever. Not to mention Alien: Earth, which will be running simultaneously to 2099, is set in 2120. I highly doubt that these two shows would crossover in any extended capacity, but it’s worth noting the possibility of more Easter eggs being pursued between the two.
We know from Prometheus, which was set around 2089, that Weyland Corporation is active at that point, and that 2099 is the year Yutani acquires them, so if Blade Runner 2099 plans to explore the Tyrell Corporation in any manner, it’s hard to imagine these companies wouldn’t be aware of each other. Again, I’m highly doubtful these two shows are going to explore any substantial crossover, but brief hints that they’re occurring on the same planet could be a ton of fun for sci-fi fans who love both.
