'Blade Runner 2' is said to be currently under pre-production with Harrison Ford returning as Rick Deckard. Ryan Gosling will be joining the new cast under the direction of Denis Villeneuve.

According to Cheat Sheet, a sequel for 1982's dystopian cult favorite is currently in the works and is set to begin filming sometime this year. Theories suggested that Ford will be returning for a cameo while Gosling is tagged to play one of the main protagonists for the new film.

It remains unclear whether the story line will focus on the iconic character Rick Deckard played by Ford in director Ridley Scott's first film. Scott, however, will not be returning. Directing roles will instead be taken up by 'Sicario' filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.

In another article by Slash Film, Gosling was said to be in negotiations to headline the cast in an unconfirmed role. It was reported that the upcoming film's plot may pick up several decades after the first. Scott may not be directing but will return as a producer with a script drafted by 'Blade Runner' writer Hampton Fancher and 'Green Lantern' scribe Michael Green. Since 'Blade Runner 2' is currently in pre-production, it may be possible to hit the scheduled release sometime around 2017 or 2018.

A report by NME revealed what past leading man Ford thought about a follow-up for his decades old science-fiction project that garnered a massive cult movie following as well as several accolades including three BAFTA film awards for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

He said, "I'm quite curious and excited about seeing a new script for Blade Runner if in fact the opportunity would exist to do another... If it's a good script, I would be very anxious to work with Ridley Scott again. He's a very talented and passionate filmmaker, and I think it would be very interesting to revisit the character."

It was rumored that the sequel had been planned for quite some time and it was only last year that talks resumed of its development. Award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins of 'A Beautiful Mind', 'Dead Man Walking' and 'Shawshank Redemption' fame was recently reported to have joined in to shoot the film with Villeneuve. It is interesting to note that he has only worked on two science-fiction films in the past namely 'In Time' and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' so his interpretation of the 'Blade Runner' world may be something to look forward to.

'Blade Runner 2' is a follow-up sequel to the neo-noir dystopian big-screen adaptation of the novel by author Philip K. Dick entitled 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep'. The first film debuted on June 25, 1982 and was received positively by critics and audiences alike. It grossed $33 million against a $28 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo.