David Bowie Was Director's First Pick For Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049will be released everywhere on Friday, October 6th, and early reviews from critics are making it out to be one of the best science fiction films of the century. We're already prepared for the movie to blow our minds, but director Denis Villeneuve recently revealed something that would have made his upcoming Blade Runner sequel even more spectacular.

Talking about his casting process for the film's villain, Neander Wallace, Villeneuve said: "Our first thought [for the character] was David Bowie, who influenced Blade Runner in many ways."

The gender-bending rock star was known for his futuristic fashion sense, and starred in a handful of other science fiction and fantasy films at the height of his career. News of his death after a battle with liver cancer broke in January 2016, before Blade Runner 2049 started production. Villeneuve's dream was dashed, or so it seemed.

His team searched for the perfect stand-in for Bowie; someone with the same outrageous rock star quality, but also someone who had proven themself as an actor. He soon found an ideal replacement: rock-star-turned-Oscar-winning-heartthrob Jared Leto.

"He's really nailed the terrifying creepy villain thing."

As far as Leto's co-stars were concerned, Villeneuve was quick to clarify there was never much discussion. Harrison Ford was always meant to reprise his role from the original film, and Ryan Gosling's leading role was written for him from the start.