'I don't like to do the same thing twice': Denis Villeneuve says Blade Runner 2049 is his best film

With less a week to go beforethe premiere ofBlade Runner 2049, Quebec director Denis Villeneuve is confident this is his bestand most challenging film yet.

"There arethings in the movie that I didthat I had not done before," he said.

The highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi filmwill hit the screens next week with a first screeningin Los Angeles, followed by onein Montreal.

The preliminary reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying that Villeneuvelives up to the artistic vision of the originalBlade Runner.

As a director, Villeneuve is known for not shying away from difficult subjectsand for boldly conquering the technical difficultiesthat come with the sci-figenre.

Without wanting to divulge too much about the sequel, he admittedBlade Runner2049 is one of themost challenging films he's taken on throughout his career.

"I don't like to do the same thing twice," he told CBC. "I'm trying to find new challenges and have a bigger playground, you know?"

"This one was pretty big."

• Blade Runner 2049 to open Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinma

'Marathon of challenges'

Whether it was difficult acting scenes or working with new technology to create the film, Villeneuvewas taxed every day.

"We had to build massive sets in order to create that world," he said. "So it was a long marathon of challenges."

He relied heavily on the support of his cast, crew and his wifeTanyaLapointe, a former journalist with Radio-Canada.

"My wifeTanya...was working with me every day,was helping me stay mentally sane," he said. "Seriously, it was a strong help for me."

Inspiration and freedom when it came to RidleyScott

While working on a follow-up to the highly praisedBlade Runner in the presence of its original director, Villeneuve said he didn't feel pressure from Ridley, who is also an executive producer on the film.

"I had a chance to have total freedom," he said."That was part of the deal when he met me the first time, he said to meto great pleasure and reliefhe would let me be free."

Denis Villeneuve on Ridley Scott's hands-off approach to Blade Runner 2049

7 years ago

Duration 0:53

Director Denis Villeneuve said that he was given total freedom to direct Blade Runner 2049, but he still felt Ridley Scott's presence on-set. Scott directed the original Blade Runner.

His work is usually inspired by other art forms outside of cinema, butVilleneuvesaid this is the first time he drew inspiration from a movie, the originalBlade Runner.

"I was living with this movie every day as a reference, so that was enough for me."

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