The influence of the 1982 classic Blade Runner can be seen over three decades of sci-fi, and you’d be hard pressed to think of a urban/dystopian, sci-fi film that hasn’t been influenced in some way. With the long-awaited sequel Blade Runner 2049 set to hit cinemas next month, it has now been revealed that Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe is making a new anime short set within the Blade Runner universe.
As reported by Kotaku, Watanabe’s film is called Blade Runner Black Out 2022. As the title suggests, it is set three years after the original film, during a massive power outage in a future Los Angeles. A teaser for the project has been released, with Watanabe stating: “The work that has influenced me the most in my anime profession would be, of course, Blade Runner.” Check it out here:
Blade Runner Black Out 2022 is scheduled to hit Sony Picture Japan’s YouTube channel on September 26. It will have a score by well known electronic musician Flying Lotus (Stephen Ellison).
Ellison tweeted: “Doing something with Watanabe was a dream of mine. Cowboy Bebop is one of the greatest! Seeing Blade Runner imagery set to my music was a beautiful feeling.”
In more related news, the latest in a series of short film prequels to Blade Runner 2049 has been released. This is the second of three promotional shorts for the movie, featuring Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista involved in some trouble on the streets of LA. You can check that out here.
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