Soldier, starring Kurt Russell, debuted in theaters in 1998. And while the sci-fi flick has never been very popular, it remains relevant because of an interesting bit of trivia: it was the first second movie of the Blade Runner universe. Or, to put it simply, it was the second movie set in the Blade Runner universe.

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Soldier was more of a contemplative bit of sci-fi rather than an action-oriented movie. That undoubtedly hurt it at the box office and likely remains a part of why it has faded from the public mindset. There are other problems with the film, which YouTuber Oliver Harper addresses in his retro review of the movie.

Nonetheless, it remains noteworthy that the screenwriter said that the film takes place as a “side-quel” in the Blade Runner universe, even as that’s not really evident from watching it.

So if you’re a Blade Runner completest and you think Blade Runner 2049 is the first sequel to Blade Runner, you’re right. But it’s not entirely correct to call it the second film in that universe. Soldier is sort of the second one, which is why I call it the “1st second movie.” So you’ll definitely want to watch it.

And even if you aren’t a completest, if you can sit through a sci-fi film that’s more talk than action, then you also might want to give the movie a try.

Top image via IMDB.