Alcon Entertainment are on the cusp of pulling off a major coup as they enter final negotiations to secure film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to Blade Runner.

Co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove announced on Wednesday [2] they were in discussions with rights holder Bud Yorkin, who will serve as producer on Blade Runner alongside the Alcon heads.

The rights package does not include remake rights, although Alcon may extrapolate stories from scenarios contained in the 1982 original. Warner Bros will handle North American distribution pursuant to its long-term relationship with Alcon while international distribution remains undetermined.

Thunderbird Films CEOs Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble will serve as executive producers.

“This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us,” Johnson and Kosove said. “We recognise the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”

Alcon’s COO Scott Parish and head of business affairs David Fierson are negotiating on behalf of the company.

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