Barkhad Abdi to star in Blade Runner 2

BARKHAD-ABDI

Barkhad Abdi, who shot to prominence playing a Somali pirate in ‘Captain Phillips’, has joined the cast of ‘Blade Runner 2’ alongside returning star Harrison Ford.

Barkhad Abdi has joined the cast of ‘Blade Runner 2’.

According to Deadline, the 31-year-old actor is set to star in the highly-anticipated sci-fi sequel alongside Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Ford reprises his role as Rick Deckard; a burnt-out special police operative known as a Blade Runner.

It’s not known who Abdi will play, however, the sequel to Sir Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic is set several decades after the first film, which was based on the 1968 Philip K. Dick novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, ‘Blade Runner 2’ is based in a dystopian Los Angeles where replicant androids are used for dangerous work and though few details have been revealed about its plot, casting announcements have been coming thick and fast.

As well as Abdi – who won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in ‘Captain Phillips’ – and the trio of stars, Spanish actress Ana de Armas, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star Dave Bautista and Dutch actress Sylvia Hoeks are also part of the cast.

WWE wrestler-turned-actor Bautista was “honoured” to be cast in the movie and revealed it was a “dream” role for him.

He revealed the news on his Twitter account, posting: “Hey guys, Dave Bautista here, and as speculated I am proud and honoured to announce that I am joining the cast of new ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Blade Runner 2’, directed by the amazing Denis Villeneuve. I’m very excited about this project and very grateful that I was able to bring the news to you myself. Couldn’t be more proud. Another dream come true, anyway you heard it here first. ‘Blade Runner 2’. Peace.”

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