BLADE RUNNER 2049 - "2036: Nexus Dawn" Short

- When I first saw Blade Runner,

I was stunned.

Ridley Scott's vision
struck so many chords.

I could immediately recognize its impact
on the entire cinematic world.

Now, I have been given
the amazing opportunity

to continue the story
and direct Blade Runner 2049,

which picks up 30 years
after the first film.

So with that in mind,
I decided to ask a couple of artists

that I respect to create
three short stories

that dramatize some key events
that occurred after 2019

when the first Blade Runner takes place,

but before 2049, when my
new Blade Runner story begins.

(loud explosion)

My friend, Luke Scott,

has directed this short film
you're about to see.

I hope you enjoy this special glimpse

into the world of Blade Runner 2036.

- All our memory bearings from the time

were all damaged in the blackout,

but there are sometimes fragments.

("Fragments" echoing)

(man sighs)

(ice cubes rattling)

(watch ticking)

- No.

Uh, conclusion session, 11:17 p.m.

Testimony of Niander Wallace

to the magistrate sectors

EL1 at 9 through 26 and so forth.

Ended MD.

(clears throat)

(knocking)

♪ (soft, haunting music) ♪

- Thank you for your patience.

I did not intend to keep you waiting.

The particulars of my affliction

make travel difficult.

- Mr. Wallace, we granted you

this meeting in deference
to your contributions.

- Your essential contribution.

- We recognize that for the public good,

for their health.

- You remember hunger,

so you indulge the recluse

whose patents keep that hunger at bay.

I believe in life.

In fact, I have wrung more life

from our earth than ever before.

But it is dying.

You are dying,

which brings us to our present concern.

- Prohibition.

- We have made clear our position.

- The prohibition of Replicant technology

is not subject to debate.

- Nor is its repeal.

- Yet we are debating.

(thunder rumbling)

- Aren't we?

Of all that was lost in the blackout,

this cut of history died unmourned.

- Humanity has only survived this long

by crushing the earth to suit its needs.

The stars, our only hope,

are hidden behind the lives
you will not allow me to create.

- (chuckles) Off-world colonies
are thriving.

- Insufficient to the needs
of ultimate survival.

Your laws have chained
the hands of progress.

- Laws keep blood off the streets.

Nexus phase is unreliable.

Safeguards put in place
by Tyrell were negligent.

- Too many have died.

We will not add to that number.

- My Replicants will live
as long or as short

as a customer will pay.

My Replicants will never rebel.

They will never run.

They will simply obey.

(music stops abruptly)

Step forward.

Find your weapon. Do this now.

(glass shatters)

- Snake.

- What is this?

- This is an angel...

and I made him.

Look up to the left reveal.

♪ (soft, melancholic music) ♪

- You're committing a crime, Wallace.

Now, that's enough.

- Lift the glass.

Cut.

- No, no. No. No. No.

(woman gasps)

- This is wrong.

- Does it hurt?

- Yes.

- You must make a choice:

your life or mine.

Do you understand?

- (Replicant) Yes.

- Do this now.

(woman gasps)
(men groan)

- (man) Jesus Christ.

- (man) This is wrong.

♪ (harsh, grating music) ♪

♪ (moves into soft music) ♪

- Human action resounds in the heavens.

Rebel echoes above.

What we decide here today

will polish or crack the firmament.

What shall it be?