Rick Deckard
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Rick Deckard is the protagonist in Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. The character also was the star of Ridley Scott's 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner, based on the novel. In the film, Rick Deckard was played by Harrison Ford.
Rick Deckard is a Blade Runner, a special member of the L.A police department who is employed to hunt down and "retire" replicants (genetically manufactured humanoids). Since they were declared illegal on Earth, it is up to the Blade Runners to "retire" (kill) any that find their way to Earth. At the beginning of the film, Deckard is called out of retirement after a group of clever and brutal replicants hijack a shuttle to Earth, intending to pass themselves off as normal humans. Deckard is reluctant to resume work, but is told he has no choice and must use some of "the old blade runner magic" to succeed. He follows the model of a film noir detective, mixing pursuit of clues and interviews with suspects with brutal violence. Like many noir heroes, he finds it hard to turn down a damsel in distress (the replicant Rachael) when she asks for his help.
There are lengthy debates among the movie's fandom on whether Deckard is a replicant himself. The Director's Cut DVD of the movie seems to lean towards the fact that Deckard is a replicant, as new footage was added that supports that side of the argument. Actor Harrison Ford has stated that when he and director Ridley Scott were discussing the character prior to filming, they both agreed that Deckard was not a replicant.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Blade Runner FAQ – Is Deckard a Replicant?
- BBC: Blade Runner riddle solved – Ridley Scott states his position
| The Blade Runner series | |
|---|---|
| Characters | Rick Deckard | Eldon Tyrell | Gaff | Rachael | Roy Batty | Leon Kowalski | Pris | Zhora | J.F. Sebastian |
| Locations | Tyrell Corporation | Bradbury Building | Tannhauser Gate |
| Cast | Harrison Ford | Rutger Hauer | Sean Young | Edward James Olmos | Daryl Hannah |
| Crew | Ridley Scott | Hampton Fancher | Michael Deeley | David Peoples |
| Novels | Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | The Edge of Human | Replicant Night | Eye and Talon |
| Games and comics | The Blade Runner Videogame | A Marvel Comics Super Special: Blade Runner |
| Other topics | Philip K. Dick | Vangelis | Soundtrack | Themes | Replicants | Voight-Kampff machine | Spinner |
| Related articles | Postmodernism | Cyberpunk | Cult film | Soldier |
