With Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 only days away, we are now getting a look at the third and final prequel short setting up the sci-fi world. This one differs from the previous two films in that it's directed by Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe, and is presented in anime form rather than live-action.
Titled Black Out: 2022, the story takes place just three years after Ridley Scott's original movie during a major power outage caused by an EMP blast. I won't give away any plot points, but the events taking place are integral in explaining the human/replicant war that erupts, and the fallout that leads directly into Blade Runner 2049. Pay attention and you'll notice a reference to Sapper Morton, Dave Bautista's replicant character who plays a key role, and also had his own short film.
Check it out because the animation, especially during the EMP scene, are simply stunning. Blade Runner 2049 opens October 6th. I hope all three shorts will be included in the home release at some point. The first of them, which centers on Jared Leto's Niander Wallace character, can be found here.
