I know..It's about time, right?!
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| 30th anniversary Blu-Ray combo pack! |
For those not following from the beginning, there are two previous posts that should help clarify where I am coming from.
1. Prometheus from the Alien super-fan's perspective
2. Why Ridley Scott MUST let me direct Blade Runner 2
To quickly summarize, I've determined that I am not the best choice to direct the project however I am more than qualified to join the writing team. So, moving forward...
Have you watched the original Blade Runner lately?
I have.
I noticed something right away. Despite being the holy grail of sci-fi films, the pace of Blade Runner is slow. Very slow. Almost to the point of being intolerable. Certainly to the point that younger audiences would probably change the channel after about five minutes. Yes, it is that slow.
While it may seem like I've been dragging my butt to write this post (this is partly true), in my defense, I've been brainstorming between posts. Do I write a new, fresh screenplay with the same plot, characters and premise OR do I delve into the prequel/sequel arena.
Being fully aware of how terribly wrong prequels based on films not originally written with a prequel in mind (Prometheus, Star Wars -need I say more) I tend to shy away from the prequel.
But...but...there is mention of a storyline that would make great prequel fodder. AND the film is based on a book, which gives depth where a screenplay generally lacks. So against my better judgement, I believe a film set chronologically before Blade Runner (I'd actually like to over-lap just a tad) will be successful.
The storyline I speak of?
This is the opening title sequence from Blade Runner:
Opening crawl from the movie:
Early in the 21st Century, THE TYRELL CORPORATION advanced Robot evolution into the NEXUS phase -- a being virtually identical to a human -- known as a replicant. The NEXUS 6 Replicants were superior in strength and agility, and at least equal in intelligence, to the genetic engineers who created them. Replicants were used Off-world as slave labor, in the hazardous exploration and colonization of other planets. After a bloody mutiny by a NEXUS 6 combat team in an Off-world colony, Replicants were declared illegal on earth -- under penalty of death. Special police squads -- BLADE RUNNER UNITS -- had orders to shoot to kill, upon detection, any trespassing Replicants.
Notice the bold type? THAT is where we go.
The opening sequence looks something like this:
We are going to interchange shots of the 'birth' of the NEXUS-6 combat team with shots of the very same androids turning on their human overseers. So from the gate, we set a fast pace, gain some perspective on the characters and introduce a new look for the film. None of this Prometheus/Alien crap where we attempt to cross over set design, costumes etc...none of that nonsense.
We will first focus on Roy Batty, the main bad ass android played by Rutger Hauer in the original.
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| Rutger Hauer as 'Roy' |
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| Chris Hemsworth |
I realize this shot is eye-candy for some of y'all, however understand the NEXUS-6 are androids and therefore physically perfect.
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| Here. More clothes. |
So... here is my proposed first segment: (I pulled from memory the formatting for a screenplay -it's pretty straightforward.)
INT: Birthing lab (INT denotes interior, EXT -exterior)
A Black screen
-audio fades in like an echo
-a terrible pain-filled scream followed by rapid breathing that overlays the following dialogue:
Martin (new character)
Roy? Roy, can you hear me?
Roy
-a sob-filled moan
Martin
It's okay, Roy, the pain will pass in a moment.
Roy
I...I can't see.
Martin
Shit. Stand by.
Close up of Roy's eyes opening. Tears are actively running from the corners of his eyes. It is clear just from his eyes that Roy is afraid. He screams again.
Cut to: (that's screenplay jargon for a transition to another scene)
INT: Corridor
The NEXUS-6 combat team, heavily armed, moves down a vast corridor lined with columns reaching off screen.
Roy (close)
This is combat team Echo. We are two hundred meters from the entrance. Over.
Cut to:
EXT: Planet surface
(close)A young Woman is breathing rapidly. As we pull away from her face we see she is running across a moon-like surface. She is dressed like the combat team and holding a large weapon. It swings up and down with the motion of her arms as she runs faster than any human possibly could.
Cut to:
INT: Corridor
Pilot Voice-over (radio)
Copy, Echo. I'm reading your signal. Proceed. LGM's calibrated to your current speed.
The team moves forward approaching a large pile of futuristic junk piled high -a barricade of some sort.
Cut to:
EXT: Planet surface
The Woman continues to run. Sheer peaks in the distance, a boulder field behind. Further back (miles) the lights of a city can be seen.
Cut to:
INT: Corridor
An explosion sends flames down the corridor. Just before the fire reaches the team, they roll behind the columns for cover. The flames recede. Screams can be heard in the distance (Women. Children), as the team continues
Cut to
INT: Birthing lab
Roy's face (close) is the picture of agony. Tears run from his eyes, mucus from his nose, saliva from his mouth as he screams.
Martin
Just one more minute, Roy. I promise.
Martin rubs Roy's head as he would a child. We see his hand stroking Roy's hair. He leans into the shot and we see his face for the first time. He is young -surprisingly so. There are tears in his eyes as well. Roy sobs as Martin continues rubbing his hair. Martin places his forehead against Roy's and closes his eyes. He cups both of Roy's ears with his hands.
Martin (whispering)
Almost there. Almost there.
The agony on Roy's face disappears. Martin pulls back several inches and looks into Roy's eyes.
Cut to
EXT: Planet surface
A drone-looking aircraft lands on a barren gray surface kicking up a large cloud of dust as it touches down.
Cut to
INT: Corridor
The NEXUS-6 combat team climbing over the burning rubble impossibly fast.
Pilot Voice-over (radio)
Echo, this is Evac-1 confirming touchdown.
Roy
Copy, Evac-1.
Cut to
EXT: Planet Surface
The Woman continues to run. As we pull back, we see the dust cloud from the aircraft. She is approaching -fast.
Cut to
INT: Birthing lab
Overhead shot. Roy is naked save underwear, a sheet, something and lying on what looks like a dentist's chair. His wrists and ankles are bound. Martin is leaning over him rubbing the side of his face. Both men smile at each other.
Martin
Welcome, Roy. I have been looking forward to this moment for a long, long time.
Roy
I am...
Roy appears at a loss for words. Martin smiles and holds his chin in his hand. Their relationship and interactions appear very paternal/maternal.
Martin
Yes. You are. You are, Roy. You are.
Tears of joy slip from Martin's eyes and onto the headrest.
Cut to
INT: Evac-1
Pilot and Co-pilot sit at the controls.
Pilot
Lowering rear cargo door.
Pilot touches something on touch-screen display. Co-pilot un-harnesses and moves off screen.
Cut to
INT: Corridor
Roy jumps from debris pile to debris pile making his way down and toward a gaping hole in a large blast-door
Pilot: Voice-over (radio)
Echo, casualty transport will be mobile in 40 seconds.
Roy
Copy, Evac.
Cut to
EXT: Planet Surface
Woman, still at top speed, disappears into the dust cloud from Evac-1.
Cut to
INT: Birthing lab
Martin wipes his nose with the back of his hand, still smiling, still looking into Roy's eyes.
Martin
Roy, do you know who I am?
Roy's brow furrows -deep in thought considering the question. He smiles.
Roy
Yes. Yes. You are my father.
Martin laughs and smiles and cries as he lowers his forehead to Roy's once again.
Martin
That's right, Roy. I am your father.
Cut to
INT: Cargo bay
The Co-pilot moves toward the causality transport perched just before the ramp, which is slowly lowering. He takes the first step, reaching for the handle. Something catches his eye in the dust beyond the ramp. The Woman walks slowly up the ramp. The co-pilot's expression changes to shock and fear.
Co-Pilot
Impossible.
He turns to run as she increases her pace, passing through a blue force-field only visible because of the dust cloud.
Cut to
INT: Rebel Shelter
The Nexus-6 combat team has gathered just beyond the hole in the blast-door. There are nine members. Roy stands at the tip of a reverse 'V' formation. In front of him are dozens of crudely constructed shelters. Several bodies lay motionless on the ground. Two dozen haggardly dressed women and children are bunched behind a burning piece of debris.
Roy
Present your leader.
An Old woman steps forward.
Old Woman
She's there, beside you.
The old woman points to a small flaming unrecognizable body part.
Old Woman (pointing to several other flaming piles)
And there, and there.
Roy
Do you know who we are?
Old Woman
I know what you are and where you came from.
Roy
Evac-1, this is Echo. Preparing causalities for transport.
The Nexus-6 combat team synchronously raise their weapons, pointing them at the huddle of frightened civilians.
Pris (formerly Woman) Voice-over (radio)
That won't be necessary, Echo. Stand down and prepare for transport.
Roy smiles. The Nexus-6 combat team lowers their weapons
Pris
LGM's inbound. Impact point five kilometers north of your location.
Old Woman
Thank you.
Cut to:
INT: Birthing lab
Roy's chair is slowly moving him into a seated position.
Martin
What do you remember, Roy?
Roy
Everything, Father.
Martin
Roy, do you know what you are?
Roy
What do you mean, Father? I am a human, of course.
Cut to
INT: Rebel Shelter
The Nexus-6 Combat team moves purposefully past the huddle of women and children.
Old Woman
I suppose Tyrell doesn't have control over every...
An explosion cuts off her mid-sentence. Dust and debris fall from the ceiling as the cavern shakes. The walls on one side begin to crack. The rebels scream as chunks of the wall fall away and the pressure difference draws the air from the cavern in a violent gust pulling debris and screaming rebels, mostly children, with it. The Nexus-6 Combat Team continues to make their way beyond the shelters -now pulling apart, toward the origin of the explosion.
Roy (close) -his expression matches the pained look from earlier in the Birthing lab.
Cut to
INT: Birthing lab
Martin
Roy, do you remember your training?
Roy
Yes, Father.
Martin
And do you recall what you're supposed to do?
Roy
Yes, Father.
Martin
I'm so sorry, Roy.
Martin breaks down as he cradles Roy's head in his arm. Roy smiles sheepishly yet knowingly as tears fall from his eyes as well.
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So in this short opening sequence we manage to build more character depth in Roy than the entire original Blade Runner, we set a nice, fast pace that will keep today's sci-fi fans happy and we throw out several thought provoking statements about the NEXUS-6 (which intentionally appear to contradict the original film).
Remember this when the film comes out and, like Prometheus, you're ready to gouge your own eyes out with the corner of your popcorn box five minutes in. Unless, of course, I somehow get myself on the writing team.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? I'd love to hear them. Comment away!
Oh, and Mr. Scott, I await your call. (or Mr. Abrams or Mr. Lindelof)
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