The 2017 sequel to Ridley Scott’s legendary noir science fiction film Blade Runner turned out to be a beautiful and compelling follow-up. Denis Villeneuve’s directorial style for Blade Runner 2049 is based on slow pacing and atmospherics. The technological wonderland Villeneuve brings to life in 2049 has, of course, a profound dark side.
The stunning visual sequences that inform the plot and character development in 2049 have inspired countless pieces of fan art. To show their appreciation, talented admirers all over the world have taken Blade Runner’s fictional world to the next level, employing their artistic abilities to expound upon the universe first envisioned by Ridley Scott.
Below are 10 such pieces of fan art that dazzle as much as Blade Runner 2049.
Officer K
Officer K, a Replicant, has a slave status in 2049. He’s indentured to the LAPD as a Blade Runner, or one who goes after and executes rogue Replicants.
This lonely and curious Replicant, played by Ryan Gosling, questions his own identity and has serious doubts about the work he’s contracted to complete by his boss, Lt. Joshi. Once a compliant and effective Blade Runner, K’s dedication starts to waiver as he prioritizes his own desires over those he’s been trained to tackle.
Niander Wallace
Niander Wallace, portrayed by Jared Leto, is the CEO of the Wallace Corporation. He hopes to expand Interstellar colonialization, and as rumors spread about Replicants being able to reproduce, Wallace sends his assistant out to track down K, who is trying to find the daugther of former replicant Rachael. This is, in fact, the same Rachael from the original Blade Runner.
Wallace, who is blind, symbolizes a sort of evil oracle in the film, and this piece of art encapsulates his nature perfectly.
Deckard And K
As K digs into his past after finding Rachael’s remains, a name eventually crosses his path: Deckard, a human. This former Blade Runner and star of the original film becomes K’s reluctant side-kick as the Replicant continues his journey toward the truth. Harrison Ford returned as Deckard in 2049.
As a former and current Blade Runner, K and Deckard make quite a pair. After beginning their relationship with an intensely long fight scene, they eventually get to talking and figure it’s best to work together.
Cityscape
Both Blade Runner and 2049 have been hailed for their beautiful graphics and sets. Ridley Scott is considered the master of set design, and he’s always been old school about his approach to building sets, using models and real props to bring his visions to life.
While Villeneuve relies on special effects more than Scott in 2049, the sequel is just as captivating at the original. Los Angeles is brought to life with towering skyscrapers, digital displays, and droves of people moving through the dense fog that touches everything.
Flying Car
One of the most loved features of the first Blade Runner is the flying cars, which are just as awesome to watch in 2049. While flying cars aren’t yet a reality, the design of the flying vehicles in 2049 is quite realistic and believable.
Many fans have taken to paper or Illustrator to recreate or add more to the flying cars depicted in the movies. Sleek, angular, and full of controls and displays with timeless appeal, these cars are contemporary and futuristic at the same time.
The Past And The Present
This beautiful alternate poster includes portraits of K, Deckard, and Luv. Luv is Wallace’s assistant and Replicant enforcer. This fierce fighter and antagonist causes many problems for K and Deckard.
What’s so stunning about this piece isn’t just the colorful drawings meeting a mustard yellow background; it’s also stunning because it evokes so much feeling for people familiar with the story and how its events unfold.
Driver’s Seat
Throughout 2049, K’s flying car is the one constant in his life. As he tries to figure out what’s going on with Rachael and Deckard, he travels around, lonely and confused. K goes back and forth between believing he’s Deckard and Rachael’s child.
Ultimately, he realizes the person responsible for implanting memories into replicants, Dr. Ana Stelline, is Deckard and Rachael’s child. K, haunted by memories of a toy horse, comes to understand that he’s been implanted with Stelline’s own memories of her childhood.
On The Run
The world created in 2049 is a desolate and lonesome place, and no one seems as isolated from the world as K. As a Replicant, he’s a slave. Even though he gets some privileges because he’s one of the best Blade Runners in LAPD history, he still doesn’t have agency and autonomy.
Once K decides to take a mutinous route, he must stay one step ahead of his former boss, Lt. Joshi. The loner becomes even lonelier, dedicating all of himself to solving the mystery and reuniting Deckard with his daughter. His life seems to have no purpose otherwise.
So Lonely
One touching display of intimacy afforded to K is his relationship with his AI girlfriend, Joi. She’s a system implanted in his apartment, and the pair have a fairly normal relationship, as far as artificial life is concerned. 2049 includes one of the most insane sex scenes in any film, where Joi superimposes a hologram of herself over a sex worker in order to give K a night to remember.
Ultimately, once K defects, Joi is destroyed by Lt. Joshi. Eventually, K runs into a holographic ad, and the woman in it looks identical to Joi. It’s quite a scene, and this digital drawing pays it justice.
Skyscrapers
Again, the city plays a major role in establishing the vibe and style of 2049. Skyscrapers are everywhere, creating interesting lines and architectural elements to keep viewers visually engaged throughout the film.
These angular structures add more depth to the noir narrative, and, with the help of all the rain and smog, contributes to casting the city in darkness.
