Blade Runner features one of the most hotly debated endings of all time, as audiences were left to wonder whether or not Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard is actually a human or a Replicant. Ridley Scott, who directed the original and is an executive producer its impending follow-up Blade Runner 2049, has now confirmed that the sequel will answer that question, despite earlier comments from director Denis Villenueve suggesting the contrary. Sir Ridley Scott made this revelation while also recalling how he originally decided to end Blade Runner with the tease that Deckard is a Replicant. After it was queried during filming that this revelation might be "corny," Scott responded by emphatically declaring, "Listen, I'll be the best fucking judge of that. I'm the director, okay?" Sir Ridley Scott then went on to also recall:
So, I'm able to, you know, answer that with confidence at the time, and say, "You know, back off, it's what it's gonna be." Harrison, he was never -- I don't remember, actually. I think Harrison was going, "Uh, I don't know about that." I said, "But you have to be, because Gaff, who leaves a trail of origami everywhere, will leave you a little piece of origami at the end of the movie to say, 'I've been here, I left her alive, and I can't resist letting you know what's in your most private thoughts when you get drunk is a f#@king unicorn!'" Right? So, I love Beavis and Butthead, so what should follow that is "Duh." So now it will be revealed [in the sequel], one way or the other.
What's most interesting about Sir Ridley Scott's comments to IGN is that they are diametrically opposed to what Denis Villeneuve said back in December. Back then, Denis Villeneuve insisted that Blade Runner 2049 wouldn't look to answer this question. The Canadian director remarked that he didn't want to try and answer the mysteries of Sir Ridley Scott's original film, and was instead just intent on making his own film set in the world. So who is telling the truth? I am more inclined to believe that Sir Ridley Scott has let slip the vital information, because, as Blade Runner 2049's director, Denis Villeneuve is more likely to try and keep the most intimate details of the film a secret. This is why he tried to put audiences off the scent by insisting that he wouldn't be tackling such a hotly debated topic.
Clearly, Sir Ridley Scott always intended for Deckard to be a Replicant. That wasn't actually the case in the first theatrical release of the film, which was re-edited by the studio. Instead, it was only subsequently revealed with director's cuts of Blade Runner, which included additional footage and the ending that Sir Ridley Scott wanted. If Sir Ridley Scott's above remarks are correct, then we don't have long until we find out if Deckard is actually a Replicant, as Blade Runner 2049 will be released into theaters later this year on October 6.
If you're after something a little bit earlier than that, then you should check out CinemaBlend's full 2017 movie release schedule for some tips.
