Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) Directs Blade Runner Anime Short
Sony has been doing a very good job of getting people hungry for everything Blade Runner in preparation to Blade Runner 2049.
Sony has been doing a very good job of getting people hungry for everything Blade Runner in preparation to Blade Runner 2049. The production team has released two of the three short films that serve as prologue to the feature film, filling in some exposition between the original film and the sequel.
The first was “Nexus 2036”, a short featuring Jared Let as Niander Wallace, who seems to be our main antogonist holding negotiations to repeal the Replicant ban. Directed by Luke Scott. viewable here – https://youtu.be/F9DHh7IOoMM
Then the follow-up short followed a fugitive Replicant, played by David Bautista, trying to blend into human society. Also directed by Luke Scott. Viewable here – https://youtu.be/yJYH9aGEEGg
And coming soon is the third short film “Blade Runner: Blackout 2020” that will focus on the blackout event that took place some years after the first film. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop) with music from experimental hip-hop producer Flying Lotus.
Cygames Pictures is handling the animation with Shukou Murase (Halo Legends, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing) is animation director and character designer.
Sony Pictures Japan is streaming a preview showing off designs and animation tests for the short.