Blade Runner: 2049‘s Wild Alternate Titles
Blade Runner: 2049 is one of the most gorgeous, haunting sci-fi films in recent memory, and, in our opinion, one of the great sci-fi sequels of all time. The franchise’s glamour is reliant on its mysteries, and the creators were protective of them. Thirty years after the original, the title is pretty self-explanatory, and got us caught up to speed on where we’d be in the timeline. Rick Deckard has been missing for three decades and there are still Blade Runners hunting replicants. The film’s far off date wasn’t the original title for the film, however.
Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the source material for Ridley Scott’s original film and was nearly the inspiration for the sequel title. In an interview with Monsters and Critics, Alcon Entertainment rep Andrew Cosgrove revealed that one title considered was Blade Runner: Androids Dream. 2049 may put us in a specific time, but is otherwise vague in regards to plot, which was precisely the point.
“I actually really like that title but with the benefit of hindsight, I’m very happy we ended up with the title we did because I think it’s a little leading,” Cosgrove said.
Blade Runner:2049 was extremely protective of leaks. The plot itself is something of a spoiler, so it’s best to air on the side of caution. Maybe once the movie has made the rounds and goes to home entertainment platforms, they can tack on the Androids Dream like Star Wars did retroactively with A New Hope.
Screenwriter Michael Green said that Androids Dream wasn’t the film’s only working title. The dystopian world with acid rain, neon lights, and dim skies inspired another name.
“When [co-writer] Hampton [Fancher] wrote his treatment and draft, he titled it Acid Zoo, which is a terrific title,” Green said.
I guess they never toyed with the epic title of Androids Acid Zoo Dream. Too much? Philip K Dick’s work is in a renaissance right now with Man in the High Castle garnering huge audiences too. Whatever the movie is called, it’s hugely entertaining and we’re grateful to Dick for putting the story out into the world.
Featured image: RYAN GOSLING as K in Alcon Entertainment’s sci fi thriller “BLADE RUNNER 2049,” a Warner Bros. Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment release, domestic distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures and international distribution by Sony Pictures.
