VENICE (Reuters) - Canadian director Denis Villeneuve says making a sequel to the 1982 cult film Blade Runner, in which Harrison Ford hunted down humanoids, is "an insane project" but that it is on the way nonetheless.

He also heaps praise on actor Ryan Gosling.

Villeneuve opened up about the as yet unnamed movie, which is scheduled for release next year, while promoting the sci-fi thriller Arrival at the Venice Film Festival. "I can say nothing...it's an insane project that is moving forward...we are in the middle of the shoot right now and Ryan Gosling is fantastic," Villeneuve said. "For me it's a big, big, big...artistic encounter. I have never been that inspired by an actor. He is really doing something special in front of the camera right now."

Producers have said the movie is set decades after the original but little is known about the project. The cast includes Ford, Oscar winner Jared Leto and House Of Cards actress Robin Wright.