When Ridley Scott released Blade Runner in 1982, the world was introduced to a haunting vision of the future. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the movie combined science fiction with classic film noir, giving audiences something entirely new. Unlike the colorful optimism of many sci-fi films from the late 1970s and early 1980s, Blade Runner offered a dark and rain-soaked Los Angeles, where towering neon signs lit up a city consumed by decay and corporate power.
At the center of this story was Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, a former Blade Runner forced out of retirement to hunt down a group of replicants, synthetic humans nearly indistinguishable from real ones. Deckard’s struggle was not only physical but also moral. Was killing replicants justified? Could they be considered human if they developed emotions and memories? These questions defined the film’s philosophical weight, but just as importantly, Deckard’s visual presence helped make him one of science fiction’s most iconic protagonists.
Ridley Scott and His Statement on Modern Cinema
Renowned Hollywood director Ridley Scott made extremely candid remarks about the quality of the modern film industry during a special “In Conversation” event at the BFI Southbank in London in October 2025. He stated that the quantity of films being made today is far too high, and the audience is “drowning in mediocrity” because “most of it is shit.” Scott also pointed out that many films are salvaged by digital effects (VFX) despite lacking a good script in the first place. During this talk, while praising his own stellar filmography, he specifically called ‘Blade Runner’ (1982) his “most personal movie,” though he admitted the experience of making his other classic, ‘Alien,’ was certainly difficult.
Source Link: BFI
Bollywood and Ridley Scott’s Connection
Beyond his work as a director, Ridley Scott and his late brother Tony Scott’s production company, “Scott Free Productions”, has also worked as a producer on a few Bollywood-linked films. Through this collaboration, they helped bring Indian cinema to a global platform. Their company showed interest in the development and co-production of projects like Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Trishna’ (2011) and Shimit Amin’s ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ (2012), marking Scott Free’s contribution to showcasing Indian stories to international audiences. It was during this time that a psychological thriller film announced by Emraan Hashmi had the working title ’55 Movie’, set to be directed by Tony D’Souza.
’55 Movie’ (Emraan Hashmi)
The psychological thriller film announced by Emraan Hashmi had the working title ’55 Movie’. This project had a notable connection to Hollywood as it was planned during a period when director Ridley Scott and his brother Tony Scott’s company, Scott Free Productions, was actively taking an interest in Indian stories. Although official production for ’55 Movie’ was not directly undertaken by Scott Free, the company had worked as a producer on other Bollywood projects (Trishna, The Reluctant Fundamentalist), which raised expectations that major projects like this Emraan Hashmi-starrer would receive international support. The film was reportedly based on a challenging story spanning 55 days, with Emraan Hashmi in the lead role.
Deckard’s Trench Coat: A Detective for the Future
One of the defining aspects of Deckard’s character was his wardrobe, specifically his brown trench coat. In many science fiction films of the time, costumes leaned heavily into futuristic designs, metallic fabrics, neon details, or exaggerated silhouettes. But the costume team of Blade Runner took a different path.
Michael Kaplan and Charles Knode, the film’s costume designers, decided to ground Deckard not in a futuristic style but in a look borrowed from the film noir detectives of the 1940s. The trench coat became a direct nod to Humphrey Bogart’s characters, especially Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. This stylistic choice was deliberate, it positioned Deckard less as a science fiction hero and more as a hard-boiled detective navigating a morally grey world.
The coat itself was simple, earth-toned, and practical. Its design emphasized wearability and function, with broad shoulders and a heavy cut that reflected Deckard’s world-weariness. In a movie filled with neon lights and futuristic architecture, Deckard’s trench coat was almost understated. Yet, it spoke volumes about his identity as a man caught between duty and morality.
The Designers’ Vision
In an interview with AnOther Magazine, Michael Kaplan explained the philosophy behind Deckard’s costume:
“After reading the script, we definitely felt that Blade Runner was of that film noir genre, and we looked back to the films of the 1940s for inspiration. Deckard (Harrison Ford’s character) was as much a Gumshoe as Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart).”
Source link: AnOther Magazine
For Kaplan and Knode, the goal was not to create a futuristic outfit that would look dated in a few years. Instead, they wanted something timeless that rooted Deckard in the noir tradition while still fitting the dystopian world around him. By drawing inspiration from the past, they crafted a look that continues to feel relevant decades later.
A video feature from the Costume CO Channel further highlighted their vision:
“Costume designer Michael Kaplan said of the direction they chose to go with the costumes after reading the script we definitely felt that Blade Runner was of that film noir genre and we looked back to the films of the 1940s for inspiration. Deckard was as much a gumshoe as Sam Spade according to Kaplan.“
Source Link: Costume CO YouTube
This noir direction ensured that the audience immediately understood Deckard’s role, not as a flashy space hero, but as a world-weary detective whose journey was as much about inner conflict as it was about chasing replicants.
Harrison Ford’s Perspective
Interestingly, Harrison Ford himself had a slightly different take on his character’s wardrobe. According to interviews, Ford felt that Deckard’s look was less noir detective and more in line with a “middle-aged Elvis Costello.” While this may not have been the designers’ intention, it reflects the ambiguity of Deckard’s identity in the film. Was he truly human? Was he a replicant without knowing it? The coat became part of that blurred identity, symbolizing a man who fit in neither the futuristic world around him nor the noir archetype he seemed to embody.
Rutger Hauer
Rutger Hauer was a famous Dutch actor known for his powerful energy in movies. He started his career in the late 1960s and became very popular in Europe after working with director Paul Verhoeven. Hauer became famous worldwide when he began working in American films in the early 1980s. His most famous and important role is definitely Roy Batty in the 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner. He played Roy Batty not just as a killer machine, but as a complicated character searching for more life. His emotional last speech in that movie, often called the “Tears in Rain” monologue, is thought of as one of the greatest and most human moments in movie history.
People remember Hauer for bringing a deep, almost poetic feeling to every character he played, making even the bad guys interesting. Rutger Hauer passed away in 2019, leaving behind a history of very strong performances, especially his unforgettable work in Blade Runner
Legacy of Deckard’s Coat & Roy Batty Trench Coat
The world of Blade Runner isn’t just about futuristic buildings and flying cars; it’s also defined by its characters’ costumes. ELS (Excellent Leather Shop) is working to keep the legacy of these two iconic coats alive, which were worn by Rick Deckard and Roy Batty.
Deckard’s trench coat, worn by Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard), is the most recognizable costume in film history. This coat is a symbol of Deckard’s moral ambiguity, his isolation, and his role as a noir detective. Its greatest strength lies in its understated and practical design. Deckard’s coat carries the burden of humanity; Batty’s coat wears the defiance of creation. ELS values this iconic legacy and has done excellent work in preparing a screen-accurate replica. True to the original design, ELS offers this coat in high-quality, durable cotton/fabric. Attention has been paid to the shape of the lapels, the dark brown color, and all the finishing details. If you want to include that original, cinematic feel in your wardrobe, then the ELS [Rick Deckard Trench Coat] is the best option for you.
While Deckard’s coat symbolizes isolation, Roy Batty’s trench coat (worn by Rutger Hauer) is an emblem of rebellion and the replicant’s quest for life. Batty carried this coat with a stylish and imposing manner, which turned the garment into a cult fashion item. ELS is working to preserve this coat’s aggressive and sharp look. The ELS Roy Batty Inspired Trench Coat is designed for those who are inspired by futuristic-noir fashion. This coat uses high-quality, durable leather to highlight its tall and commanding silhouette. This coat is not just a fashion statement, but a piece of Blade Runner’s philosophy. You can feel Batty’s daring and unique personality by wearing the ELS [Roy Batty Inspired Trench Coat].
