Blade Runner Spirit
In 2017, director Denis Villeneuve revealed his intention to cast Bowie in his movie Blade Runner 2049 as the lead villain, Niander Wallace. But once the news broke of Bowie’s death, Villeneuve was forced to look for another star with similar “rock star” qualities. He went with actor and lead singer of Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto.
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Villeneuve said his first thought for the character was Bowie, who had actually influenced Blade Runner in many ways. According to Villeneuve, Bowie embodied the Blade Runner spirit. Director David Lynch also wanted Bowie to reprise his Fire Walk with Me character for his film Twin Peaks: The Return, but Bowie’s sickness near the end of his life prevented it. His character was thus portrayed via archival footage.