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Rick Deckard is the protagonist in Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. The character also was the star of Ridley Scott's 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner, based on the novel. In the film, Rick Deckard was played by Harrison Ford.

Rick Deckard is a Bounty hunter or "Blade Runner", a special member of a police department (San Francisco in the book, Los Angeles in the movie) who is employed to hunt down and "retire" replicants (genetically manufactured humanoids). Since they were declared illegal on Earth, it is up to the Blade Runners to "retire" (kill) any that find their way to Earth. At the beginning of the film, Deckard is called out of retirement after a group of unusually brutal replicants hijack a shuttle to Earth, intending to infiltrate their place of manufacture and extend their four year lifespans. Deckard is reluctant to resume work, but is told he has no choice and must use some of "the old blade runner magic" to succeed. He follows the model of a film noir detective, mixing pursuit of clues and interviews with suspects with brutal violence. Like many noir heroes, he finds it hard to turn down a damsel in distress (the replicant Rachael) when she asks for his help.

There are lengthy debates among the movie's fandom on whether Deckard is a replicant himself. The Director's Cut DVD of the movie seems to lean towards the fact that Deckard is a replicant, as new footage was added that supports that side of the argument. Actor Harrison Ford has stated that when he and director Ridley Scott were discussing the character prior to filming, they both agreed that Deckard was not a replicant. However, in multiple subsequent interviews, director Ridley Scott has come forward stating that Deckard is in fact a replicant. ^[1][2].

• Deckard: replicant or human?

• The Blade Runner FAQ – Is Deckard a Replicant?
• BBC: Blade Runner riddle solved – Ridley Scott states his position

1. ^ The Blade Runner FAQ
2. ^ BBC News - Blade Runner Riddle Solved