Dave Bautista confirms role in 'Blade Runner 2'

LOS ANGELES, April 4 (UPI) -- UPDATE:

Dave Bautista confirmed he will star in Blade Runner 2 in a video post Monday.

"As speculated, I am proud and privileged and honored to announce that I am joining the cast of the new Blade Runner," the actor said. "I'm very excited about this project and very grateful that I was able to bring this news to you myself. Couldn't be more proud. Another dream come true."

Alcon Entertainment also confirmed the news in a press release, saying story details and Bautista's character will be kept under wraps.

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Dave Bautista is teasing his involvement with Blade Runner 2.

The 47-year-old former WWE star hinted at a role in the sequel by posting a photo of himself holding an origami unicorn similar to the one in the original 1982 movie.

Dave Bautista teased his involvement with "Blade Runner 2" on social media. Photo by Dave Bautista/Twitter

"I can't wait to share some really exciting news," the Guardians of the Galaxy actor captioned the picture.

Sicario director Denis Villeneuve will helm the new film, with original director Ridley Scott as executive producer. Harrison Ford, who played Rick Deckard, will return for the sequel but reportedly only appear in "the third act."

"We talked at length about what it could be, and came up with a pretty strong three-act storyline," Scott said of himself and returning Blade Runner writer Hampton Fancher in an interview with Variety.

"It all makes sense in terms of how it relates to the first one," he revealed. "Harrison is very much part of this one, but really it's about finding him; he comes in in the third act."

The Blade Runner sequel will take place decades after the first movie and co-star Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright. The film will begin principal photography in July and is scheduled to open in theaters Jan. 12, 2018.

Bautista is a six-time world wrestling champion who has since played Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy and Mr. Hinx in the James Bond film Spectre. He will reprise Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which opens May 5, 2017.