Blade Runner 2099 is set to be a series based on the iconic Blade Runner movies. The series will be filmed in Northern Ireland.
The series has been commissioned by Amazon Studios, and Ridley Scott, who directed the original cult classic 1982 film, is the executive producer for the show.
NI Screen confirmed that the series will be filmed in Northern Ireland. Chief Executive Richard Williams has said that pre-production for the show will start almost immediately, while filming is expected to begin in spring 2023.
Blade Runner 2099 will be filmed in Northern Ireland – the cult classic comes to NI
Alcon Entertainment, the company behind the 2017 Blade Runner sequel, Blade Runner 2049, with Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, are behind the TV series.
The original movie quickly became and has remained one of the most iconic sci-fi movies of all time. It has influenced many other science fiction and popular culture movies since its inception.
It also made outlandish predictions for developments in technology and climate change. However, while the movie predicted a waterlogged future for Los Angeles, the real threat to the area today is wildfires.
An ambitious four-year strategy – boosting the economy
The news came at an event where NI Screen’s new 2022-2026 strategy was outlined. It details that the TV, film and video game industries will aim to generate over £430 million for the economy of Northern Ireland over the next four years.
This should come as a return of a £53 million investment in the industries. By contrast, there is less money available for the Irish language and Ulster-Scots broadcasting this year. The funds available are much less in comparison to the previous two years.
This is a result of the end of a one-off government commitment to increase funding for the two called New Decade New Approach (NDNA) that came about in 2020.
In turn, there will be around £3.9 million available for the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and about £1 million for the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.
Filming in Northern Ireland – a huge influx
There are many reasons why TV shows and movies are filmed in Northern Ireland. In recent years, the north has seen a huge influx of shows and movies made in the area.
Game of Thrones opened numerous doors for the talent and resources available in the north. Ever since the show was filmed here, more studios have popped up, and there is always something exciting being filmed either in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland.
Line of Duty, Game of Thrones, Dungeons and Dragons, The Northman, we could go on forever. The opportunity to host movies and TV shows such as these boosts the economy in an invaluable way.
With Blade Runner 2099 on the horizon, this gives even more room to present Northern Ireland on an international stage.
