~ 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?.
Blade Runner Poll The many sectors of Blade Runner present us with a list of blade runners from which to choose from between the movie, the book, and the game. 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. 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.
2009 The release of "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?," comic book series by publisher Boom Studios. 2011
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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.) |