9 Years Ago, Ryan Gosling’s Cyberpunk Masterpiece Quietly Paved The Way For The Dune Trilogy

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Many film fans consider Ryan Gosling’s 2017 movie to be a stunning example of cyberpunk cinema, and it actually helped influence the recent Dune films. Though it didn’t do well in theaters initially, this smart and visually striking sci-fi noir was an important step forward for a now-famous director. The film features both Gosling’s excellent performance and the incredible cinematography of Roger Deakins.

It’s a huge weekend for Ryan Gosling, with his new film, Project Hail Mary, already proving to be a box office hit. If you see it in theaters, you’ll probably also get a sneak peek at the trailer for Dune: Part Three – the exciting conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy, based on Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah. Interestingly, both Project Hail Mary and the Dune films share a subtle connection to a lesser-known science fiction thriller.

Blade Runner 2049 Proved Denis Villeneuve Could Direct Dune

Denis Villeneuve’s career took a turn towards large-scale science fiction with the 2017 release of Blade Runner 2049. While already a well-respected director known for films like Incendies, Prisoners, and Sicario (a project completed before Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone success), Blade Runner 2049 – starring Ryan Gosling and continuing the story of Ridley Scott’s original Blade Runner – marked the beginning of a new phase focused on ambitious sci-fi adaptations.

Director Denis Villeneuve truly made his mark on science fiction with the critically acclaimed film Arrival in 2016. He then embarked on a prolific period, directing a film each year from 2013 to 2017, culminating in Blade Runner 2049. He continued with the Dune saga, releasing the first two installments in 2021 and 2024, and is currently scheduled to release Dune: Part Three in mid-December 2026.

Seeing the Dune movies and the trailer for the final installment makes it clear that Blade Runner 2049 was essentially a testing ground for director Denis Villeneuve. It proved he could successfully tackle a large-scale adaptation like Dune. Many are now calling Dune the new Star Wars trilogy, and it’s likely we wouldn’t have this Dune franchise without Blade Runner 2049. That film helped Villeneuve refine his artistic vision, work on a grander scale, and solidify his reputation as a talented science fiction director.

Blade Runner 2049 Is A Cyberpunk Masterpiece Despite Box Office Flop

As a huge movie fan, I was really surprised by how poorly Blade Runner 2049 did at the box office. It just felt…off. Director Denis Villeneuve had built up a great reputation with films like Arrival, and the cast was incredible – Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Mackenzie Davis, and even Harrison Ford returning as Deckard! On top of all that, critics loved it – an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes – and it even won two Oscars for its stunning visuals and cinematography. It really seemed like a recipe for success, so the box office numbers were definitely a shock.

Even though Blade Runner 2049 received a lot of praise and was generally considered a success, it didn’t perform well at the box office. It made around $259 million globally, but with a production budget of $150 million and considering all expenses, the film actually lost money. This is probably the biggest reason why a third Blade Runner movie hasn’t been made in the nine years since, although a new series, Blade Runner 2099, is planned for streaming on Prime Video in late 2026.

While Blade Runner 2049 seems unusual when looking at film history, it’s more importantly a key film that paved the way for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy. It also helped launch Ryan Gosling’s career in science fiction, leading to roles in films like First Man and the current blockbuster, Project Hail Mary.

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2026-03-23 01:57