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Blade Runner 2049: Interlinked: The Art
The official art book for Blade Runner 2049 and a companion volume to The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049.
Film audiences experienced a bold, breathtaking vision of the future in 1982’s ground-breaking Blade Runner. With the critically acclaimed Blade Runner 2049, director Denis Villeneuve returned to that world, as a young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.
A companion to The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049, Interlinked offers an unprecedented look into the creative process that went into making Blade Runner 2049, illustrating how director Villeneuve and his team took Scott’s 1982 movie as a starting point and expanded the world by creating a new visual language infused with the original Blade Runner DNA.
Film audiences experienced a bold, breathtaking vision of the future in 1982’s ground-breaking Blade Runner. With the critically acclaimed Blade Runner 2049, director Denis Villeneuve returned to that world, as a young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.
A companion to The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049, Interlinked offers an unprecedented look into the creative process that went into making Blade Runner 2049, illustrating how director Villeneuve and his team took Scott’s 1982 movie as a starting point and expanded the world by creating a new visual language infused with the original Blade Runner DNA.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published August 11, 2020
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165 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Lapointe
9 books23 followersTanya Lapointe worked for 15 years as a field reporter, interviewer, and TV Host for Radio-Canada/Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, covering international entertainment, news and high-profile events such as the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival. She is the author of The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049. She is also a documentary film writer, director, and producer.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 25, 2020
Now I am not sure of the logic at play here - however this is an incredible book if you enjoy all things Blade Runner and am (like myself) fascinated by the dystopian world that at many points totally over shadows the action going on screen.
The reason for my comment is that this is the sister volume to the "The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049" - no problem there but when this book which is as the title states - Interlinked - it was released the following year to the first book. They are not sequels they are related and support each other so why the delay.
I am sure there is some bright spark out there who can answer this question however it does not detract from the incredible artwork that is contained within these pages.
I have read many "makings of.." and "the art of.." but I have seen very few so packed with images - this is a book where no detail has been lost of ignored and I for one think its brilliant. For any fan this is a must.
The reason for my comment is that this is the sister volume to the "The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049" - no problem there but when this book which is as the title states - Interlinked - it was released the following year to the first book. They are not sequels they are related and support each other so why the delay.
I am sure there is some bright spark out there who can answer this question however it does not detract from the incredible artwork that is contained within these pages.
I have read many "makings of.." and "the art of.." but I have seen very few so packed with images - this is a book where no detail has been lost of ignored and I for one think its brilliant. For any fan this is a must.
September 20, 2020
The first artbook had more interesting content. This is all about production design and concept art, which I was excited about... until I saw most of the art was 3D renderings. Where there is the original concept art that was hand drawn, illustrating intent and ideas, it’s fantastic. Everything else fell flat for me. Not sad I got it, but as with the first one, it still feels like a mediocre effort for the specific mandate of each book.
The actual book is much better produced than the first one, though. The binding is way more sturdy and it has a dust jacket. Feels like better quality paper too, but I’m not 100% sure on that.
The actual book is much better produced than the first one, though. The binding is way more sturdy and it has a dust jacket. Feels like better quality paper too, but I’m not 100% sure on that.
January 8, 2022
Gorgeous concept art book that fills every inch of the page with color... though little variety of color, as per classic Blade Runner style. The art makes it clear that the destitute environmental bleakness was a theme held forefront in every single set, vehicle and costume design in the film, with the designers constantly speculating how humanity will survive and adapt to live in a world with a polluted atmosphere, lack of sunlight, surging sea levels, and overcrowded dystopic megalopolises.
A few great concepts that never made it into the film: literal pillars of smog leading to a dense smog ceiling above Los Angeles, with neon product advertisements projected onto the smog – what a terrible future. Another was a fairly different design for the lab of Dr. Ana Stelline than was used in the film, being more of an egg shape and having “neuro pathways” leading to it, which appear to be some kind of projected corridors that only appear in an individual’s perception. This could’ve been visually amazing however I’m not sure if it would’ve been a distraction or a fit for the film.
Several script revelations that I was previously unaware of: Luv’s death was originally going to be caused by K stabbing the broken emanator (which Luv broke to kill Joi) into her skull, which would actually be pretty thematically satisfying but perhaps too on-the-nose for Villenueve. Also, I wasn’t aware of the significance of Joi feeling the rain for the first time being implied to be her “birth” as a sentient being.
In some ways I wish the book gave more of a sense of process as to how the decision moved from these designs to those used in the film. However, not only are there likely far too many iterations of any given design to truly show the process, as well the approach in this case allows singular images to take up almost the entire page, allowing the reader to reflect on the overall aesthetic and ambience that was being communicated in the concept drawings. A few pages do show smaller images of alternative concepts of a given set or prop, and the variety and creativity indicate that quite literally every possible aesthetic, design and color palette was considered for this film.
The superb quality of this author’s compilation of the artistic process makes me very excited for my order of Art and Soul of Dune.
A few great concepts that never made it into the film: literal pillars of smog leading to a dense smog ceiling above Los Angeles, with neon product advertisements projected onto the smog – what a terrible future. Another was a fairly different design for the lab of Dr. Ana Stelline than was used in the film, being more of an egg shape and having “neuro pathways” leading to it, which appear to be some kind of projected corridors that only appear in an individual’s perception. This could’ve been visually amazing however I’m not sure if it would’ve been a distraction or a fit for the film.
Several script revelations that I was previously unaware of: Luv’s death was originally going to be caused by K stabbing the broken emanator (which Luv broke to kill Joi) into her skull, which would actually be pretty thematically satisfying but perhaps too on-the-nose for Villenueve. Also, I wasn’t aware of the significance of Joi feeling the rain for the first time being implied to be her “birth” as a sentient being.
In some ways I wish the book gave more of a sense of process as to how the decision moved from these designs to those used in the film. However, not only are there likely far too many iterations of any given design to truly show the process, as well the approach in this case allows singular images to take up almost the entire page, allowing the reader to reflect on the overall aesthetic and ambience that was being communicated in the concept drawings. A few pages do show smaller images of alternative concepts of a given set or prop, and the variety and creativity indicate that quite literally every possible aesthetic, design and color palette was considered for this film.
The superb quality of this author’s compilation of the artistic process makes me very excited for my order of Art and Soul of Dune.
June 5, 2023
This is a companion volume to the Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049. This volume has a lot more of the concept art and the ideas behind it and is a lot less obnoxious and self-congratulatory. The volume has different drawings of the spinners, the handguns, the buildings and much more, rejected art and variants. It shows a lot more of the thinking that went into the construction of the final movie. However, the ideas are derivative, and not well thought out. In a world supposedly deliberately devoid of digital technology, much of the technology presented is actually digital, it seems that there is a lack of understanding and consistency in the world building, thus resulting in a bland and forgettable movie.
It seems that the ideas are less derived from Philip K. Dick, his name is all but absent. The ideas are that derived from Villeneuve's single word description, "Brutality", from which they derived Soviet-style brutalist architecture and other concepts. In the end, there is a mish-mash of bland minimalism that is neither threatening nor memorable.
It seems that the ideas are less derived from Philip K. Dick, his name is all but absent. The ideas are that derived from Villeneuve's single word description, "Brutality", from which they derived Soviet-style brutalist architecture and other concepts. In the end, there is a mish-mash of bland minimalism that is neither threatening nor memorable.
April 14, 2021
As indicated by its title, Blade Runner 2049 Interlinked - The Art narrows its focus and content on the many pieces of concept art created for the 2017 feature film, and is a companion piece to the previous book, The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049 published in 2017. As that book covered the actual production of the film in a wider, comprehensive scope, Interlinked truly focuses on the concept design art pieces of environments, settings, vehicles and props from the film. That narrowed focus will likely influence your enjoyment of this companion book.
At 224 pages in this well produced art book by Tanya Lapoint, Blade Runner 2049 Interlinked is chock full of artwork in sketch, thumbnail and fully produced imagery from the film divided into narrative sections. The text, mostly in comments on production from the artists themselves, is sparse but still informative about their process and how art progressed working with director Denis Villeneuve. As such, Interlinked is much less of a reading experience than an archival collection of the concept art that inspired the look of the film. This is not a detriment to the book at all, but readers/buyers should set their expectations accordingly for this companion publication. If you're looking for more making-of production stories, images and content, then the Art and Soul book may fulfill that need better.
If you want an extended look at Blade Runner 2049's pre-production artwork that shows the evovling process for the film's eventual design as seen on screen, however, Interlinked is a worthy addition and extension of Art and Soul. Readers will get to explore variations in set designs of the LA cityscape, the massive Wallace building, Wallace's office and the Sea Wall that vary the most from Blade Runner's look created in 1982. The book also illustrates options for blaster weapon designs, costumes, interior sets and spinner vehicle designs. At times, facing pages will even print variations on one single painting as artists explore lighting effects, scenic illumination, and weather variants -- occasionally you'll have to look very close to detect the subtle changes between alternates.
Blade Runner 2049 Interlinked is an attractive book to thumb through as the visuals flow past your eyes, but to enjoy its full value readers should take the time to look deeper as paintings changed small details in a cityscape or explored design variations on a single prop design. If readers value those details and explorations in visual storytelling, Interlinked will be a solid addition to your library and a handsome companion piece to the Art and Soul book.
At 224 pages in this well produced art book by Tanya Lapoint, Blade Runner 2049 Interlinked is chock full of artwork in sketch, thumbnail and fully produced imagery from the film divided into narrative sections. The text, mostly in comments on production from the artists themselves, is sparse but still informative about their process and how art progressed working with director Denis Villeneuve. As such, Interlinked is much less of a reading experience than an archival collection of the concept art that inspired the look of the film. This is not a detriment to the book at all, but readers/buyers should set their expectations accordingly for this companion publication. If you're looking for more making-of production stories, images and content, then the Art and Soul book may fulfill that need better.
If you want an extended look at Blade Runner 2049's pre-production artwork that shows the evovling process for the film's eventual design as seen on screen, however, Interlinked is a worthy addition and extension of Art and Soul. Readers will get to explore variations in set designs of the LA cityscape, the massive Wallace building, Wallace's office and the Sea Wall that vary the most from Blade Runner's look created in 1982. The book also illustrates options for blaster weapon designs, costumes, interior sets and spinner vehicle designs. At times, facing pages will even print variations on one single painting as artists explore lighting effects, scenic illumination, and weather variants -- occasionally you'll have to look very close to detect the subtle changes between alternates.
Blade Runner 2049 Interlinked is an attractive book to thumb through as the visuals flow past your eyes, but to enjoy its full value readers should take the time to look deeper as paintings changed small details in a cityscape or explored design variations on a single prop design. If readers value those details and explorations in visual storytelling, Interlinked will be a solid addition to your library and a handsome companion piece to the Art and Soul book.
March 17, 2021
Gorgeous art book for an amazing film. I enjoyed the physical quality of the book - size, binding, paper quality - and the glimpses into the design process for the movie. My only complaint is that I hungered for more context and content in a written form, to accompany the art. (I have recently begun reading "Art and Soul", which came out prior to "Interlinked", and it is providing this sort of content to a greater degree.)
September 18, 2020
Así como el "Art & Soul" este libro nos lleva por detalles detrás de las ideas de una película que me sigue pareciendo una maravilla a la altura de la primera. Incluso esta vez menciona algunos elementos pensados para enlazar la Blade Runner de Villeneuve con la versión de Ridley Scott.
October 6, 2020
Much less analysis than I hoped for but the pictures are amazing and the artwork is exactly what you'd expect - perfection.
March 3, 2022
A nice presentation of concept art from the film. Not much text.
August 22, 2023
Good interviews. Nice selection of art.
December 10, 2023
Cyberpunk is life
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews