Sep 15, 2017

Shinichiro Watanabe Directs "Blade Runner" Short

The upcoming "Blade Runner 2049" will feature an animated short film tied to "Blade Runner": directed by Shinichiro Watanabe of "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo" fame.

Watanabe's short film is set in 2022, between the timeline of the original "Blade Runner" film (set in a dystopian Los Angeles in 2019) and the new film (2049). According to the Animation News Network, the short's story revolves around a power outage on the West Coast of the United States.

Although the short film has not yet been released, Sony Pictures Japan has released a behind-the-scenes video previewing the artwork for the short produced by Cygames Pictures.

Flying Lotus, who scored the music for the short film, wrote on Twitter that he was excited to work with Watanabe on the project:

It has been my dream to do something with Watanabe. Cowboy Bebop" is one of the greats!

- KUSO (@flyinglotus) September 15, 2017

"Blade Runner 2049" opens in the US on October 6.