Blade Runner is getting a TV show, but the series will only work without Los Angeles. The Los Angeles setting has been key to both Blade Runner films, with it providing much of the story and atmosphere that the franchise is known for. However, Blade Runner doesn’t need to return to the city for a third time, and changing to a new setting would be a much better idea.
Ridley Scott is returning to the Blade Runner franchise to executive produce a TV series titled Blade Runner 2099 for Amazon Prime Video. The miniseries will act as a sequel to 2017’s Blade Runner 2049, which itself is a legacy sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic sci-fi movie Blade Runner. Not much is known about Blade Runner 2099 yet besides its existence, and while it will probably continue many of the hallmarks the franchise is famous for, it really needs to drop Los Angeles.
Blade Runner 2099 Needs To Ditch The Los Angeles Setting
Although Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 both took place in a futuristic version of Los Angeles, California, Blade Runner 2099 needs to ditch this setting. Blade Runner‘s version of Los Angeles has already been explored as much as it needs to, with two lengthy films dedicated to the setting being more than enough. Going back to Los Angeles for the TV series would feel tired and derivative, with the franchise really needing to move on.
The world of Blade Runner is huge, and there are plenty of locations that Blade Runner 2099 could explore besides Los Angeles. Blade Runner 2099 should take place in another city, state, or even country, showing futuristic takes on cities that have gotten less love from the franchise. Seeing human-replicant relations in other cultures would be an interesting way to grow the franchise’s world, moving beyond the tired Los Angeles setting.
The Blade Runner TV Show Should Finally Explore Space
An even more exciting potential setting for Blade Runner 2099 is space. The Blade Runner universe makes constant mentions of space, with characters mentioning space stations, colonies, and other off-world vistas. Blade Runner‘s “tears in rain” speech is full of allusions to extra-terrestrial societies, and Blade Runner 2099 has the opportunity to explore these exciting settings.
Space opens up all kinds of new story opportunities for Blade Runner 2099 as well. The series could show a replicant revolution, with rogue replicants being the core of every single Blade Runner story. The series could also just show the franchise’s cynical take on space exploration, delving into how far humans have gone by the year 2099. There are plenty of new corners to explore in the Blade Runner universe, as long as Blade Runner 2099 stays away from Los Angeles.
