Blade Runner – one of the most celebrated sci-fi movies ever. The filmmaker ed the test with flying colors, producing a visually and thematically rich follow-up to the original.

Despite receiving rave reviews for the most part, Blade Runner 2049 still proved to be a box office flop for the studio and is estimated to have lost around Oscar nominations in five categories – including Cinematography and Production Design – but failed to receive nods for Best Picture, Director or Score.

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Villeneuve has been discussing Blade Runner 2049’s nominations with CBC News, and feels the film’s mediocre numbers probably caused it a shot at Best Picture, stating "It's very uncommon for a movie that didn't do well at the box office in the United States to get a nomination for best picture." The director is particularly disappointed the moody score wasn’t acknowledged, saying "I think what [composers Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch] did for the movie, the score of the movie, was by far one of the best this year."

Many have speculated on the possible reasons for Blade Runner 2049’s disappointing box-office tally, citing the film’s long runtime, lack of action setpieces and the fact it’s a big budget sequel to a cult film. The movie’s producer Ridley Scott bluntly – and hilariously – forwarded his own theory on the movie’s performance, calling it "too slow" and “too long.”

Villeneuve isn’t hurting for work in the aftermath of the film’s performance though, and is due to tackle an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sprawling novel he ruled himself out.

If he finds time in future he may also return for the planned third for another sequel in mind, it seems Blade Runner 2049 will likely be the last film in the series for the time being, but its still a great film - without with out an Oscar nod.

Blade Runner 2049 is now available on digital and Blu-ray.

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Source: CBC News