Free Republic

Syd Mead, the visionary futurist who worked on such classic fantasy/sci-fi films as Tron, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, died today in Pasadena. He was 86. Roger Servick, his spouse and business partner of 40 years, told Deadline that Mead had been in failing health due to lymphoma cancer and he was undergoing treatment at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Servick, who was by Mead’s side when he died, said his last words were: “I’m done here. They’re coming to take me back.” Mead’s art department credits include Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Aliens, Timecop, Mission: Impossible III,...

"Blade Runner 2049” was supposed to be a hit. The film, one of the most anticipated of the year, seemed to have all the necessary ingredients with two popular leading men and an original that has gained cult status since its release in 1982. But it has not been the box office hit the industry hoped for, despite being showered with rave reviews. Studios blamed the dismal box office performance of a number of big-budget blockbuster films this summer on negative reviews from critics and Rotten Tomatoes. The film review aggregator, owned by Comcast Corp.-owned CMCSA, +0.87% Fandango, has been...