Welcome to KippleZone
~ a "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" & "Blade Runner" fanfiction e-zine. ~
Blade Runner is one of the most popular and influential science-fiction films of all time, and it has become an enduring cult classic favorite. It was directed by Ridley Scott and stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? [DADoES] by Philip K. Dick.
This 1982 film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in the year 2019–-a dark, polluted and overcrowded city dominated by cloud-piercing buildings, looming neon billboards, and air dense with acid rain and flying traffic. And the city has another problem; rogue Replicants.
Replicants are human androids that are created to perform hazardous or menial tasks on the Off-world Colonies. Their use is prohibited here on Earth. If anyone is suspected of being a Replicant, a special police force, known as the Blade Runner Unit, are notified. The blade runners have orders to shoot to kill, upon detection, any trespassing Replicant.
The plot focuses on the trials and tribulations of retired Rep-detect, Rick Deckard. He is forced back into active duty to help L.A.P.D.’s Blade Runner Unit out of a jam. He has to track down four rogue Replicants and retire them–a euphemism for destroying them.
Blade Runner debuted on June 25, 1982, in over 1200 theatres, throughout the United States. However, it had not lived up to box office expectations. It could be said that Blade Runner was the most influential box-office-flop-turned-cult-classic film of all time.
Blade Runner is more than a movie. Not only does Blade Runner overwhelm the senses, but it also preys on our morals. It reveals fundamental truths and insight into human nature.
Blade Runner opens up a multiverse of perspectives for those who seek them. The further we journey through its sectors, the more there is to marvel at and amaze us. From the book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick; the various screenplays; the different versions of the movie Blade Runner; to the many offspring this work has spawned, we continue to keep alive this story. It has been analyzed, replicated, expanded upon, and been paid tribute to by all means known to humankind.
We can see its influence in other books and movies. It has been rendered in the visual arts; in painting, sculpting, computer animation, architectural designs and even in fashion design. We can experience Blade Runner virtually with video games. We can listen to Blade Runner inspired music. This paradigm has been presented in live theatre productions, in dance recitals, and on home video productions. Writers across the web have kept the story of Rick Deckard and company alive in fan-fiction. In a sense, Blade Runner has been mythologicalized. This website is for the Blade Runner enthusiast, the writer, the artist, the dreamer, and the mythmaker.
Here you will find poems, scripts, stories, and art related to and inspired by Blade Runner and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
- What's New: New additions to the site.
- Kipple: Tidbits and kipple to do with Blade Runner or DADoES, including Penfield, (a Penfield mood organ parody), Blade Runner sequels, games, and music. Features exclusive articles, including Douglas Trumbull: In Retrospect, CITYSPEAK Revisited, and A Blimp Is Born: From Concept to Screen to Fandom--The Blade Runner Blimp.
- Kipplepedia: A DADoES & Blade Runner Glossary. Terms from the Philip K. Dick book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", the movie "Blade Runner", and the Westwood Studios computer game "Blade Runner".
- KippleZone's YouTube and Vimeo channels: Blade Runner fandom and Dickheads (Philip K. Dick fans) take to the camera! Here are fan-films shared on the YouTube and Vimeo websites. A new breed of Blade Runner and Dickian fandom has been unleashed!
- KippleZone's Facebook page: "Like" us on Facebook! Contains more fanfiction!
- KippleZone's Pinterest page: A DADoES & Blade Runner pinboard-style photo-sharing collection!
- KippleZone's Fanfiction Library: Blade Runner/DADoES fanfiction.
- Resources: Links to everything pertaining to Blade Runner and DADoES, from scripts to fan sites.
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The Blade Runner Timeline
1968
Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (DADoES) is published.
1974
DADoES is optioned by Herb Jaffe Associates, Inc. for the film. Robert Jaffe wrote the screenplay "Electric Sheep". PKD disliked it.
1975
DADoES was recommended by a friend of Hampton Fancher's to obtain the optioning.
1977
Brian Kelly and Hampton Fancher buy the option for DADoES.
1978
Michael Deeley began submitting Fancher's adaptation of DADoES to different studios and directors.
1979
• Hampton Fancher worked on the second draft of the screenplay, given the title "Android", then later re-named "Mechanismo". Then, by the third draft, "Dangerous Days".
1980
• Ridley Scott signed on as director.
• Screenplay title changes to "Blade Runner".
• David Peoples hired to rewrite the script.
• Filming starts for Blade Runner.
1981
Vangelis was signed on as soundtrack score composer.
1982
• Philip K. Dick dies while the movie is being edited.
• The Denver and Dallas "sneak previews".
• Voice-overs added to Blade Runner.
• "Hollywood Happy Ending" added to Blade Runner.
• San Diego "sneak peek".
• The Blade Runner movie is released to theaters.
• Orchestra Adaptation of Blade Runner soundtrack released.
• DADoES novel is re-released with a Blade Runner cover.
• Marvel Comic releases comic book editions of Blade Runner.
• Ertl Blade Runner cars collection.
• "Blade Runner: A Story of the Future" released by Random House books.
• "The Illustrated Blade Runner" & "Blade Runner Sketchbook" & Blade Runner Portfolio released by Blue Dolphin.
• Blade Runner Souvenir Magazine released by Ira Friedman, Inc.
1983
US Theatrical cut of Blade Runner is released on Betamax and VHS.
1985
The CRL Group PLC released the Blade Runner computer game for Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.
1992
Blade Runner 10th Anniversary Edition (VHS) released.
1993
The "Director's Cut" version of Blade Runner is released on VHS and laserdisc after the Workprint theatrical release was shown at the Toronto film festival.
1994
Vangelis' Blade Runner album is released.
1995
• "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" audio book released.
• The novel "Blade Runner 2: The Edge of Human" by K. W. Jeter is published.
1996
• The novel "Blade Runner: Replicant Night" by K. W. Jeter is published.
• The book "Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner" by Paul M. Sammon is published.
1997
• The Blade Runner game for Windows 95 + Windows NT is released by Westwood Studios. And "Blade Runner: Official Strategy Guide" released by Brady Games.
• Blade Runner (The Director's Cut) DVD released.
2000
• The novel "Blade Runner: Eye and Talon" by K.W. Jeter is published.
• Blade Runner (Limited Edition Collector's Set) DVD released.
2003
"Blade Runner: The Inside Story" by Don Shay released.
2006
Blade Runner - The Director's Cut (Remastered Limited Edition) DVD released.
2007
- The release of "Blade Runner: The Final Cut". Formats available: five-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD, four-disc Collector's Edition DVD, two-disc Special Edition DVD, five-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray, five-disc Complete Collector's Edition Blu-ray, five-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition HD DVD, five-disc Complete Collector's Edition HD DVD. The Ultimate Collector's Edition unique 5-disc digi-package with a handle which is a stylish version of Rick Deckard's own briefcase. In addition, each briefcase will be individually numbered and in limited supply. Included is a lenticular motion film clip from the original feature, miniature origami unicorn figurine, miniature replica spinner car, and collector's photographs, as well as a signed personal letter from Sir Ridley Scott.
- "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" opens in select theatres throughout the world.
- Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary - Vangelis soundtrack. It's a 3-CD set which - for the first time - puts all the pieces together, providing the complete music from the film and a lot more besides. CD 1 features the original and remastered soundtrack as it first appeared in 1994, twelve years after the film was released. The second CD contains all the remaining music from the film that did not appear on the original 1994 soundtrack, plus two bonus tracks ('One Alone' and 'Desolation Path'). None of this material has been released before. The third and final disc will be of real interest to Vangelis fans, as it contains an entire album of newly written material composed by Vangelis to mark the 25th anniversary of Blade Runner. The music is strong and flowing, and retains the dark, atmospheric sense of the original score. There are some intriguing spoken word contributions too, from Ridley Scott, Roman Polanski, Oliver Stone and a host of distinguished actors, personalities, and world dignitaries.
- The release of Official Blade Runner movie tie-in novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Philip K. Dick. Contains an article at the end of the book by Paul M.Sammon, titled "Of Blade Runners, PKD, and Electric Sheep."
- The release of Official Blade Runner movie tie-in novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Philip K. Dick, audiobook, unabridged. Scott Brick (Narrator).
- The release of "Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner", Second Edition (Hardcover)
by Paul M. Sammon
2009
The release of "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?," comic book series by publisher Boom Studios.
2011
- Alcon Entertainment secured film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to Blade Runner.
- Ridley Scott signed to direct Blade Runner sequel.
2012
- It was announced that the sequel will be penned by the original co-screenwriter, Hampton Fancher.
- Warner Home Entertainment to release the 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition of Blade Runner on Blu-ray on October 2, 2012.
Special Features:
- Over 10 hours of bonus content
- "Final Cut" feature on Blu-ray and DVD
- Three additional feature versions on one disc, seamlessly branched
- All new bonus content disc featuring the existing EC from the UCE plus
- Photo Gallery with 1,000+ new images
- "Dangerous Days" documentary
- The Work Print feature version
- Over 6 featurettes and more
- Concept spinner car model
- Action Lenticular photo
- A 72-page art production mini-book with never-before-seen sketches, poster art and photos from the set.
2013
- Blade Runner Sequel Moving Forward with Writer -- A sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” is gaining momentum, with Michael Green in talks to rewrite the script from Hampton Fancher.
2014
- Alcon Entertainment has made an official offer to Harrison Ford, asking him to reprise his role as Deckard in the new Blade Runner movie.
- Ridley Scott, along with Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, have written the story, and the script is now completed.
- "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" is re-released in select theatres throughout the world.
2015
- "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" continues its re-release in select theatres throughout the world.
- Canadian director, Denis Villeneuve, is selected to direct “Blade Runner” sequel for Alcon Entertainment.
- Ridley Scott will exec produce the sci-fi thriller. Producers are Bud and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin and Alcon’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.
- Canadian actor, Ryan Gosling, is in arrangements to star in Alcon Entertainment's spin-off of Blade Runner.
- Roger Deakins is selected to be the cinematographer for the sequel.
2016
- Sony Pictures Releasing International will be releasing the film in all overseas territories.
- Frank Giustra, Bill Carraro, and Tim Gamble, along with Ridley Scott, will act as executive producers.
- Principal photography for the sequel will begin July 2016.
- The Blade Runner sequel will hit theaters on January 12, 2018.
- Alcon Entertainment is now set to release the movie on Oct. 6, 2017, shifting it from its original date of Jan. 12, 2018.
- Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, and Carla Juri have been added to the cast of the Blade Runner sequel.
2017
- The ‘Blade Runner’ sequel is officially titled, "Blade Runner 2049"
- Blade Runner 2049 VR Experiences Exclusively Coming To Oculus.
- NECA Announces it has acquired a license for ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Action Figures and Collectibles
- The official Blade Runner 2049 website created -> HERE
- Edward James Olmos has just confirmed that he will be returning as Gaff in Blade Runner 2049
- Hans Zimmer is now working on ‘Blade Runner 2049’ soundtrack, alongside Benjamin Wallfisch.
- Paul M. Sammon's 3rd edition of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner was released on September 12, 2017.
- October 6, 2017 - Blade Runner 2049 is released in theatres worldwide.
2018
- January 18, 2018 - Blade Runner 2049 is released on DVD and Blu-ray.
- May 2018 - Blade Runner: Revelations, a virtual reality (VR) experience, by Seismic Games is released.
2019
- January 2019 - Blade Runner Nexus app game for Android, by Next Games.
- November 2019 - Blade Runner 2019, the official graphic novel sequel to Blade Runner.
2020
- March 2020 - Blade Runner (1997 video game) is resurrected! An Enhanced Edition of the game for release on modern computers and consoles for release in 2020. And is available for download via GOG, and available for PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
NOTE: There have been numerous re-releases of the film Blade Runner over the years in different formats. Not all have been listed in the timeline above. (For example, the Embassy laser disc first released in 1983 was re-pressed in 1987.)
