Unicorn, the A controversial issue among fans. When the Director's Cut was released, a sequence with Deckard dreaming about a unicorn was re-inserted. It is actually original film from 1982 which was cut out, as the producers did not appreciate it. The scene in the end of the movie where Deckard finds the origami unicorn may suddenly have a whole new meaning. One possibility suggested by fans and supported by the director Ridley Scott, is that the origami unicorn indicates that Gaff knows about Deckard's unicorn dream, i.e. that it is a brain implant and Deckard is a replicant. Note: This possibility first occured when The Director's Cut was released. Many fans, perhaps as many as 50 %, reject the whole concept. Blade Runner fans will probably always debate the question: "Is Deckard a replicant or not?" See also glowing eyes, Sebastian's unicorn, Nexus-7.

United Nations According to both Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Blade Runner 2: The Edge of Human, the United Nations are in charge of the Colonization Program. The bureaucracy seems to have become a political power in itself and utilizes questionable, not to say criminal methods and co-operates with commercial organizations, e.g. the Tyrell Corporation. Many web sites claim that the United Nations were responsible for the prohibiton of replicants on Earth.

Vangelis Real name: Evangelos Papathanassiou. The composer and performer of Blade Runner's suggestive soundtrack, see Blade Runner: Vangelis. Born in 29 March 1943 in Volos, Greece. His main field is electronic music in general and electronic soundtracks in particular. He has composed and performed soundtracks for several other movies, e.g. Chariots of Fire (1981) and Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992). External link: Internet Movie DataBase entry.

Vidphon The video telephone of 2019. Deckard uses a VidPhon when he dials Rachael at home from The Snake Pit and Pris at J. F. Sebastian's apartment from his sedan.

V-K Slang for Voight-Kampff test or for conducting such a test.

Voice-over Already in the early stages of the screenwriting process,    voice-over narration was considered. There were a few lines of voice-over in the Workprint. After the previews, the producers were concerned the audience would not comprehend the movie and a dramatically extended voice-over narration was added to the Domestic Cut. It basically explains different concepts in the movie and emphasizes Deckard's moral concerns. Harrison Ford's performance as narrator is far from spiritual, probably because he did not approve to the idea. Voice-over narration is a common story-telling device in film noir.

Voight-Kampff Basically a polygraph test designed to detect replicants. The press kit from 1982 gives us detailed information: "A very advanced form of lie detector that measures contractions of the iris muscle and the presence of invisible airborne particles emitted from the body. The bellows were designed for the latter function and give the machine the menacing air of a sinister insect. The VK is used primarily by blade runners to determine if a suspect is truly human by measuring the degree of his empathic response through carefully worded questions and statements." The "invisible airborne particles emitted from the body" is usually refered to as pheromones nowadays. According to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the name Voight-Kampff refers to two experts in android science, Voight and Kampff, who invented or at least enhanced the reaction scales. This briefcase device is supposed to be more or less standard equipment for blade runner units. Note: V-K is spelled "Voigt-Kampff" in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but in the final Blade Runner script it is spelled "Voight-Kampff".

Walsh, M. Emmet The actor portraying Captain Harry Bryant. Born 22 March 1935 in Ogdensburg, New York, USA. College degree in marketing and theater career in New York. Walsh often plays American Southerners, not seldom rednecks or corrupt cops. Made his first movie performance in Midnight Cowboy (1969) and had his breakthrough in Blood simple (1984), the first movie by the Coen brothers. Walsh did not seem to enjoy Ridley Scott's perfectionism. See also external link: Internet Movie DataBase entry.

White Dragon Noodle Bar, the The street diner where Deckard orders dinner at the beginning of the movie. This Ridleyville set was obsessively detailed, which does not really show in the movie. The White Dragon Noodle Bar is run by the Sushi Master.

Workprint, the Ridley Scott's original version of Blade Runner. There are about seventy dissimilarities between the Workprint and the original theatrical release, the Domestic Cut, although a majority of them are minor. The Workprint has become something of a legend, as it basically could be seen on the big screen only during sneak previews in Dallas and Denver in 1982. Only available as rare bootleg today.

World war terminus The nuclear world war preceding the events in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. It seems to have been a devastating conflict, as the radioactive fall-out and its effects are mentioned several times in the novel. The name sometimes appears on Blade Runner web sites and in dito fan fiction.

W.p.o. The Soviet police in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. W.P.O. co-operates with the American police when tracking down renegade androids.

XB71 The individual identification number of Zhora's snake, manufactured by Abdul Ben-Hassan.

Young, Sean The actress portraying Rachael. Born 20 November 1959 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Has performed in more than 50 movies, e.g. Dune (1984), No Way Out (1987), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) and The Invader (1997). Her Hollywood career has been like a roller coaster due to the fact that the she has a reputation of being eccentric and difficult. Blade Runner is still one of her favourite movies. See also external link: Internet Movie DataBase entry.

Yukon Hotel A decaying hotel of low standards at 1187 Hunterwasser. Obviously a more or less shady establishment frequented by more or less dubious people, as it is the dwelling of Leon Kowalski. Deckard investigates his room and finds two leads: Leon's "precious" photos and a mysterious scale.

Zhora Renegade Nexus-6 replicant. Esper data: "ID: N6FAB61216; Incept date: 12 JUNE, 2016; Func: Retrained (9 Feb., 2018) Polit. Homocide; Phys: LEV A; Mental: LEV. B." Bryant's comment: "Off-world kick murder squad." Member of the renegade group lead by Roy Batty and supposedly Leon's lover. As a cover, she performs as an exotic dancer in The Snake Pit. She is tracked down by Deckard and almost strangles him to death. Retired by Deckard in a shopping arcade after a long chase through crowded streets. Blade Runner trivia: Zhora was actually supposed to survive Deckard's shots, stagger out in the street and get run over by a bus. Never filmed due to lack of time. Portrayed by Joanna Cassidy. Illustration: Zhora.

Zhora's Dance When the slippery toaster in The Snake Pit announces the entry of Miss Salome, a.k.a. Zhora, the obviously very exotic dance number was actually supposed to be shown. Zhora was to perform a sensual dance with "the snake that once corrupted man" among sand dunes in a magnificent hall. Director Ridley Scott fought hard for this scene, but the financiers refused to let him film due to budget restraints.