It has been announced that a planned sequel series to the acclaimed Blade Runner movies will no longer be filmed in Belfast.
The BBC reports that Amazon's sci-fi spin-off series Blade Runner 2099 was due to film on location in Belfast later this year and was to be based at Belfast Harbour Studios.
Filming had been delayed due to the strikes by actors and writers in Hollywood.
The project was originally announced last year, with Ridley Scott, director of 1982's Blade Runner, among the executive producers.
The BBC reports that Blade Runner 2099 had received funding of £4.1m from the agency Northern Ireland Screen, which it is understood will now be returned.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
In a statement, Northern Ireland Screen Chief Executive Richard Williams said the organisation was "extremely disappointed" by the decision not to film in Belfast.
"We are conscious that these difficult decisions do happen in the screen industry, particularly with the most expensive projects, which carry the greatest expectations," he said.
"This obviously leaves a gap in Northern Ireland's production schedule and Northern Ireland Screen will do everything it can to plug that gap as quickly as possible, mindful that many freelance crew and supply chain companies were relying on this project for work."
Released in 1982, the Harrison Ford-starring Blade Runner has become one of the most influential films in cinema history, transcending poor box office to take its place among the classics.
In 2017, Ford returned alongside new co-star Ryan Gosling for a Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel, Blade Runner 2049.
No casting details had been announced for the new series.
