Black Panther (2018) has a look inspired by the classic Blade Runner (1982) film.
Update: Beachler expanded on her statement “The forward thinking in the part tech played in that world and the density of the city. Texture and tone. Lots of movies inspired.”
The forward thinking in the part tech played in that world and the density of the city. Texture and tone. Lots of movies inspired. Samsara.
— Hannah Beachler (@chinchilla1970) October 3, 2017
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) is a huge hit and uses the original as a reference. The upcoming superhero movie Black Panther has been blowing people away with its unique Afrofuturism visuals. Now production designer Hannah Beachler has revealed that she took inspiration from the classic Ridley Scott American neo-noir science fiction film Blade Runner.
Production designer Hannah Beachler has worked with Ryan Coogler on Fruitville Station and the 2015 Rocky film Creed and is now working on Black Panther.
Dujuan Franklin asked Beachler on Twitter “Did Blade Runner hold any inspiration in your concept of Wakanda, or Ryan’s vision?” She said, “Yes, I was definitely inspired by the original Blade Runner.”
Yes, I was definitely inspired by the original Blade Runner.
— Hannah Beachler (@chinchilla1970) October 3, 2017
Blade Runner was inspired by many sources including Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks and the French science fiction comics magazine Métal Hurlant. The most recognizable element of the film are the flying cars known as “Spinners”. Black Panther has his own version of the flying jet soaring over a futuristic landscape. The color and style of the film match it perfectly.
Check out the Black Panther concept art from the film that shows the density of the city:
Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther, who’s the first African superhero in Marvel comics. Black Panther is the king of the highly advanced fictional African nation of Wakanda and serves as the protector and spiritual leader. He first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War.
“For me, it was always understanding that Wakanda had been there for 10,000 years and then what does it look like now?” says Beachler told The Frame. “It was supposed to be a place that was never colonized too, so what does that look like?”
Cinematographer Rachel Morrison who’s also working on Black Panther praised her style. “She is resourceful when resources are limited, and creative and original when given the freedom to design from scratch,” Morrison told Variety. “She brings authenticity to every concept and keeps the narrative at the core of her design.”
ABOUT BLACK PANTHER (2018)
Official Synopsis: “After the events of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakanadan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.”
Black Panther (2018) stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, John Kani as T’Chaka, Winston Duke as M’Baku / Man Ape, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, Isaach de Bankolé, Nabiyah Be as Tilda Johnson, Sydelle Noel as Xoliswa, and Atandwa Kani.
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Screenplay by Joe Robert Cole and Ryan Coogler
Music by Ludwig Göransson
Cinematography by Rachel Morrison
Production design by Hannah Beachler
Black Panther (2018) is scheduled to be released February 16, 2018 (United States)
For more news, insight, and reviews about the Black Panther (2018) movie click on the link!
What do you think about the design of Black Panther? What influences do you see from Blade Runner?
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="31937 ">2 Comments
She took a solid design and made it fresh and new again.
I hope the air quality is a little better in Wakanda. And that it doesn't rain all the time.