Get ready Deckard, the Tyrell Corporation proudly presents its latest creation!
Sure, Jan. 8, 2016 may seem an unremarkable date to some, but for those with a deep love of science fiction, it marks the inception day of one of the genre's most revered antagonists — and the Internet is busting out the birthday celebrations.
That perfect bad guy we can't help but love is Roy Batty (played by Rutger Hauer), a 'more human than human' replicant from Ridley Scott's 1982 iconic science-fiction film, Blade Runner.
And today a Replicant was born. Happy Birthday Roy. #BladeRunner pic.twitter.com/fVewg3QiLX— Allen Henderson (@CluthaDubh) January 7, 2016
BORN ON THIS DAY: Roy Batty. KNOWN FOR: Seeing things you people wouldn't believe, crying in the rain. #BladeRunner pic.twitter.com/jyjjZMxuVN— Josh Nelson (@philmology) January 7, 2016
Taking place in dystopian Los Angeles, the film (based on Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) sees genetically engineered androids like Batty try to merge with the human population, only to be hunted and 'retired' by Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard.
Spurring fan-art, tattoos, puns, a sequel in the works and the ever-present debate over artificial intelligence, Blade Runner has a cult following that makes Batty’s birthday a big deal in nerdom.
It's Roy Batty's birthday today. Happy incept day, big fella. Hope you have a relaxing and trouble-free life... pic.twitter.com/WXvZePBs5x— Simon Sellars (@ballardian) January 7, 2016
Today is Roy Batty's incept date. #liketearsinrain pic.twitter.com/qKDTQKxQ7h— SupernaturalWookie (@SuperWiki) January 8, 2016
A photo posted by @benewy on Jan 7, 2016 at 5:15am PST
An unorthodox villain, Batty was the replicant who learned empathy. Unquestionably a winner at dramatic monologuing, he emerged as an anti-hero after his 'tears in the rain' speech caused many an audience member to question what it really meant to be human.
This year is populated with sci-fi milestones, also bringing the inception of Batty's fellow replicants Pris and Zhora, played by Daryl Hannah and Joanna Cassidy respectively. In the meantime, the Internet will be celebrating the birthday of one of the greats.
Happy birthday, Roy Batty.