Blade Runner / FAQ / Early Death
Why Did Roy Die Early?
The margin of error on a replicant's lifespan is probably the same as that
of any human with a fatal disease. It was suggested earlier that the short
lifespan was a trade-off for increased performance. It is clear that Roy
had exceeded even Tyrell's expectations, and so we could expect him to
wear out that little bit before his due expiry date.
Earlier versions of the story were set in 2020, but this was changed when
it was decided that it sounded too much like an eyesight test. The date
was changed to 2019, but this inconsistency remained.
Murray Chapman