Blade Runner is one of Harrison Ford’s most iconic roles, but based on the way his character is portrayed in the original novel, he wasn’t right for the part of Deckard. Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner was something of a notorious disappointment upon release, but has since become one of the greatest cult classics of all time.
Its rich landscape of science fiction and noir was unlike anything seen in the genre before, and the complexity of the story has captured the imagination of audiences for well over four decades. It was loosely based on the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? but took a lot of liberties with the book.
Many of the changes were for the best, and Dick’s esoteric approach to science fiction would have been impossible to convey onscreen. However, the movie also made radical alterations to the characters, and especially changed Deckard. Harrison Ford gave one of his best cinematic performances in the film, but it was nothing like the book’s version.
I Don’t Think Harrison Ford Could Have Played Deckard From The Book
Ford Is Just Too Cool To Play Such An Unlikable Character
It was ultimately for the best that Blade Runner is so different from the book, because it allowed Harrison Ford to give such a great performance. Had the film stuck closer to Deckard’s original characterization, he would have been violent, unfeeling, and anti-heroic. While those traits make for an interesting protagonist, such a role isn’t really in Ford’s wheelhouse.
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The movie version is callous, but he’s mostly apathetic to the problems of the world. He’s so worn down by everything, that he just doesn’t have the bandwidth to care about the evil that he’s contributing to. There’s very little to Deckard in the books, and the entire point is that he’s a cog in a much larger machine.
Blade Runner‘s Deckard is a bit of a departure from that typecasting, but he still comes off as very cool
While he’s always given strong performances, Harrison Ford is a classic Hollywood hero. He’s rugged and understated, and he’s charming even when playing a rogue like Han Solo. Blade Runner‘s Deckard is a bit of a departure from that typecasting, but he still comes off as very cool even though he isn’t spouting one-liners and saving the day.
Why Blade Runner Was Right To Make Deckard A More Impressive Figure
Deckard Is A Relatable Figure In A Confusing World
Blade Runner may have been a massive shift away from Dick’s work, but it still ended up being somewhat esoteric and challenging for the audience. Making changes to Deckard’s character was the smartest move of the entire adaptation because it gave the audience someone to root for and sympathize with.
Ford returned as Deckard in Blade Runner 2049.
The world of Blade Runner is strange, and the original Deckard would have made the cold fictional universe even colder. Ford’s version is more impressive, and he has agency over the story. This drives the plot forward, and it also makes his quest for answers emotionally weighty. Casting Harrison Ford was brilliant because he’s an easy star to get behind.
Blade Runner
9/10
- Release Date
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June 25, 1982
- Runtime
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117 minutes
