'The Martian's Mackenzie Davis joins 'Blade Runner' sequel

HOLLYWOOD, June 8 (UPI) -- Mackenzie Davis. who has had roles in The Martian and Halt and Catch Fire, has joined the cast of the Blade Runner sequel.

Davis joins Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford in Alcon Entertainment's sci-fi project, directed by Denis Villeneuve, an acclaimed filmmaker behind the drug drama Sicario.

Other cast members include Dave Bautista, Ana de Armas, Carla Juri and Robin Wright, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Details of the movie's plot are being kept secret. Blade Runner takes place over several decades following the conclusion of the 1982 original. Ford is renewing his role as Rick Deckard.

Oscar-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins reunites with Villeneuve for this project. Hampton Fancher, who co-wrote the original Blade Runner along with Michael Green, wrote the new screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridley Scott, Variety reported.

Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to Blade Runner in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin. They planned to produce prequels and sequels to the sci-fi thriller. Yorkin will produce the film with Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit.

Ridley Scott serves as executive producer and Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEOs of Thunderbird Films, will also serve as executive producers along with Bill Carraro.

Photography for Blade Runner is scheduled to begin in July with Warner Bros. distributing it in North America and Sony Pictures releasing internationally.