'Blade Runner 2' Release Date: Harrison Ford & Ryan Gosling's Science Fiction Moves Up to 2017

Director Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is considered by many as one of the greatest science fiction movies of all-time. So when "Blade Runner 2" was announced for a January 2018 release, fans understandably got very excited. More exciting news for fans: "Blade Runner 2," which stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling and directed by Denis Villeneuve, has been moved up to October 6, 2017.

Moving up "Blade Runner 2" a couple of months earlier is a smart move, according to Outer Places. January is usually not a good month to release blockbusters although there are some exceptions to the rule like Bradley Cooper's "American Sniper."

Releasing the Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling science fiction movie can also help the film get more notice and attention from prestigious award bodies such as the Academy Awards. "The Martian" -- which was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Matt Damon -- is a science fiction movie that was also released in the month of October and became a major player in awards ceremonies.

One big factor that the movie needs to have in order to be a major contender for awards is the critical reviews for the movie. Fortunately, "Blade Runner 2" will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, who has made critically successful movies in the past.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the director's recent movies received lots of praise from critics such as "Sicario" (93 percent), "Enemy" (75 percent) and "Prisoners" (82 percent). Aside from getting the talents of director Denis Villeneuve and actors Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, "Blade Runner 2" will also star Dave Bautista and Robin Wright, according to Collider.

The movie will also feature the work of famous cinematographer Roger Deakins. Catch Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling in "Blade Runner 2" when it hits theaters on October 6, 2017.