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Michelle Yeoh Stars in 'Blade Runner 2099,' Rules Out Directing
Confirmed
In Short: At the Busan International Film Festival, Michelle Yeoh discussed her role in 'Blade Runner 2099,' a limited series set 50 years after 'Blade Runner 2049.' The series, which will debut on Prime Video on November 25.
At the Busan International Film Festival, Michelle Yeoh discussed her role in 'Blade Runner 2099,' a limited series set 50 years after 'Blade Runner 2049.' The series, which will debut on Prime Video on November 25, 2026, follows Cora, a human fugitive played by Hunter Schafer, and Olwen, a replicant nearing the end of her life, portrayed by Yeoh.
The series is created by Silka Luisa and executive produced by Ridley Scott, the original director of the 'Blade Runner' franchise. Yeoh praised the bold narrative and the opportunity to work with new directors, emphasizing the importance of finding a good team.
During her visit to Busan, Yeoh also received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award. She expressed her excitement about the festival and her admiration for Korean cinema, including the works of Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon Ho.
Yeoh, who has been building a bridge between Eastern and Western cinema, shared her experiences in Hollywood and her recent return to Asian cinema with roles in 'It's My Time' and 'Blade Runner 2099.' She emphasized the importance of never giving up and finding new opportunities.
When asked about her future plans, Yeoh ruled out directing, stating, 'I love being an actor; I actually love being a producer, but I think being an amazing, great director, you have no life.'
Yeoh will promote 'Blade Runner 2099' at New York Comic Con, joining Schafer, Luisa, and other members of the team for a panel discussion.
The series promises to delve deeper into the complex dynamics between humans and replicants, expanding the rich and intricate world of the 'Blade Runner' franchise.
Yeoh's role as Olwen, a replicant facing the end of her life, showcases her versatility and continued relevance in the industry, as she continues to break barriers and inspire new generations of actors and filmmakers.
The teaser trailer for 'Blade Runner 2099' was revealed at the festival, generating excitement among fans and industry insiders alike, signaling the start of a new era for the beloved franchise.
What this adds
Michelle Yeoh's role in 'Blade Runner 2099' is set to premiere on Prime Video in 2026, expanding the franchise's timeline and exploring new narratives.
Background
Blade Runner 2099 is an upcoming American sci-fi television miniseries created by Silka Luisa for Amazon Prime Video. It is an installment in the Blade Runner franchise, serving as a sequel to the films Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
What's confirmed
- At the Busan International Film Festival, Michelle Yeoh discussed her role in 'Blade Runner 2099,' a limited series set 50 years after 'Blade Runner 2049.' The series, which will debut on Prime Video on November 25, 2026, follows Cora, a human fugitive played by Hunter Schafer, and Olwen, a replicant nearing the end of her life, portrayed by Yeoh.
- The series is created by Silka Luisa and executive produced by Ridley Scott, the original director of the 'Blade Runner' franchise. Yeoh praised the bold narrative and the opportunity to work with new directors, emphasizing the importance of finding a good team.
- During her visit to Busan, Yeoh also received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award. She expressed her excitement about the festival and her admiration for Korean cinema, including the works of Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon Ho.
- Yeoh, who has been building a bridge between Eastern and Western cinema, shared her experiences in Hollywood and her recent return to Asian cinema with roles in 'It's My Time' and 'Blade Runner 2099.' She emphasized the importance of never giving up and finding new opportunities.
- Yeoh will promote 'Blade Runner 2099' at New York Comic Con, joining Schafer, Luisa, and other members of the team for a panel discussion.
- The series promises to delve deeper into the complex dynamics between humans and replicants, expanding the rich and intricate world of the 'Blade Runner' franchise.
- Yeoh's role as Olwen, a replicant facing the end of her life, showcases her versatility and continued relevance in the industry, as she continues to break barriers and inspire new generations of actors and filmmakers.
- The teaser trailer for 'Blade Runner 2099' was revealed at the festival, generating excitement among fans and industry insiders alike, signaling the start of a new era for the beloved franchise.
What's still developing
- Download the free app to send 100.3 The Wolf a Talkback message Prime Video has revealed the teaser trailer for “Blade Runner 2099,” the upcoming live-action continuation of the acclaimed science-fiction franchise, while announcing that the series will premiere Nov. 25, 2026.
- Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” following Ridley Scott’s 1982 film and Denis Villeneuve’s 2017 sequel “Blade Runner 2049.” All eight episodes of “Blade Runner 2099” will be released on Prime Video on Nov.
- “It was pretty awesome, it really was, and I’m happy to announce it will be coming out over Thanksgiving in November,” Yeoh said.
- Speaking of the Oscar win, Yeoh first paid tribute to South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung who became the first Korean to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Minari in 2021: “We are also very proud of her – she opened the door for me to believe that it’s a possibility,” Yeoh said.
- “I’d spent many years abroad doing American films and TV and finally had the opportunity to work with Wen Muye and Bai Xue. It was through Media Asia, Peter Lam, a very good friend of mine who introduced me to them, because he knew I had to find a good way to come back to the Asian market, which has always been important to me,” Yeoh said.
- Describing her role in It’s My Time as “challenging” because she had to play an older character, Yeoh also said she was drawn to the project due to its message of never giving up.
- Busan International Film Festival is taking place October 6-15 at Busan Cinema Center and multiple venues across the city.
- Yeoh spoke about the project at a Busan International Film Festival press conference today, according to Variety.
- “I hope I have the privilege of working more in Korea as well, because I’m a big fan of K-pop, K-drama, Korean food, and especially Korean movies,” she said.
- “I think I spent quite a few years trying to build a bridge from the East to the West, and then now from the West to the East,” Yeoh said.
- Yeoh said her mother hates the look because she thinks it makes her daughter seem 80.
- Recalling her early Hollywood years, Yeoh said she was shocked to be told she was a minority, and that even after the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies,” the parts on offer remained stereotypical.