In autumn of 2017, Blade Runner 2049 hit the screens, marking a significant gap of 35 years following Ridley Scott’s original science fiction masterpiece Blade Runner from 1982. Given this considerable delay for a sequel, there was a substantial timeframe to fill in between the storyline of the first film and its continuation, considering that 2049 is set thirty years after its predecessor.
Over the span of three decades, various avenues have been used to bridge that gap, one notable example being several comic book series based on Blade Runner. However, prior to the release of Blade Runner 2049 in theaters, Warner Bros. Pictures commissioned three distinct short films to set the stage for the sequel’s narrative. Now, with both Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 available on the SYFY app, it seems fitting to revisit those short films and understand their significance in shaping the sequel storyline.
The first three movies preceding “2049” span almost three decades, featuring distinct characters and revealing separate parts of the puzzle that culminate in the sequel. Here is a brief summary and information on where to find them for viewing.
For More on Blade Runner
The live-action series “Blade Runner 2099” is currently being developed, and it was Rutger Hauer’s performance that made the original “Blade Runner” film so captivating and unique. However, Denis Villeneuve has stated that he will revisit the world of “Blade Runner,” but not in a sequel format.
The TV show “Blade Runner 2099” is being made, and Rutger Hauer’s acting made the original movie so intriguing and peculiar. Still, Denis Villeneuve plans to explore the world of “Blade Runner,” but not through a sequel.
A guide to the Blade Runner 2049 prequel shorts
Black Out 2022
Approximately three years following the events depicted in “Blade Runner,” the Tyrell Corporation unveils the Nexus-8 model Replicants, a breakthrough as these artificial beings are now designed to live out their lives like humans, unlike previous models with expiration dates. However, this innovation ignites fierce opposition, as anti-Replicant advocates resort to tracking and eliminating these Nexus-8 models from existence using information stored in Tyrell’s database.
As a rogue Replicant in a world where my kind are hunted, I find myself joining a clandestine resistance, backed by human allies, with the ultimate goal: topple Tyrell’s database and grant us freedom from detection. In the gripping anime short “Black Out 2022,” masterfully crafted by Shinichiro Watanabe (of Cowboy Bebop fame), we follow my fellow Replicants Trixie, Iggy, and our human ally Ren as they devise a daring plan to detonate an EMP over Los Angeles. Successful as it is, the blackout that ensues brings about global economic turmoil and social upheaval, ultimately leading to a halt in Replicant production. Tyrell’s company goes bankrupt, and for ten years, the Replicant program lies dormant until the Wallace Corporation steps in, reviving it with new models.
2036: Nexus Dawn
As a passionate fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Over a decade since the infamous blackout incident, the CEO of Wallace Corporation, Niander Wallace (Jared Leto), convenes with a panel of authorities in a formal hearing, where he unveils his groundbreaking Replicant project. In this gathering, he casually refers to the companion he’s brought along as an “angel,” which turns out to be a cutting-edge Nexus-9 model. Despite the officials cautioning him about the illegal nature of creating even one Replicant, Wallace passionately advocates that our crumbling Earth society can only be sustained if we harness these new Replicants as economical laborers for essential human-supportive infrastructure.
Despite the panel’s opposition during the hearing, Wallace proceeded to prove the obedience of his Replicant by commanding it to self-harm, specifically slashing its own face and posing a choice between its life and Wallace’s. The Replicant followed the order, taking its own life, paving the way for Wallace’s ascension as a leading manufacturer of such artificial beings.
In addition, it’s worth mentioning that both “Nexus Dawn” and its subsequent short film were helmed by Luke Scott, the offspring of the initial “Blade Runner” director, Ridley Scott.
2048: Nowhere to Run
In a more intimate introduction to the film “Blade Runner 2049,” titled “Nowhere to Run,” we meet Nexus-8 Replicant Sapper Morton, portrayed by Dave Bautista. This replicant has been living among humans since the year 2022, disguising himself as a protein farmer. During a visit to the market, he notices a pair of women, a mother and her daughter, being threatened by a group of thugs. Displaying his characteristic superhuman strength and resistance to pain, Sapper steps in to protect them. However, in the heat of the moment, he carelessly leaves behind his identification. This ID is picked up by a bystander and reported, leading to the revelation that Sapper is not human as previously assumed, but rather a rogue replicant.
In the initial scenes of Blade Runner 2049, the phone call prompts the character known as K (played by Ryan Gosling) to embark on a quest to find Sapper. This call serves as the catalyst for K’s adventure that unfolds throughout the movie.
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2025-07-09 22:32