Philip K. Dick has slowly but steadily become a cultural icon with his works of mind-bending fiction. His first novel debuted in 1955, and ever since, his cumulative works have sold roughly 20 million copies and been translated to 25 different languages.
Considered by some measures to be the most adapted science-fiction author in the history of film, Dick has created futuristic worlds in many of his works, several of which have been adapted into feature films: “Blade Runner,” based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?; “Total Recall,” based on the short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale;” “Screamers,” based on the short story “Second Variety;” the French film “Confessions d’un Barjo,” based on “Confessions of a Crap Artist;” and “Minority Report,” “Impostor” and “Paycheck,” based on works of the same name. The movies have brought new fans to Dick’s work.
Never out of print in its 27-year existence, A Scanner Darkly is one of the three top-selling Dick novels and only the second novel of Dick’s to be adapted. The story of how A Scanner Darkly became a film begins with a respect for Philip K. Dick shared by writer/director Linklater and producer Tommy Pallotta—a mutual admiration often talked about on the set of “Waking Life.” In crafting the adaptation, Linklater wanted to convey as much of the comical perspective as possible. “To remain true to the book is to attempt something that is more difficult in film than in literature, which is to be both a comedy and a tragedy at the same time. I wanted the film to capture the humor and exuberance of the book but not let go of the sad and tragic. It’s a tonal challenge for sure, but that is the heart of the story.”
“Because his stories and novels often involve futuristic elements, they are a popular source for movies. People have taken core ideas from his stories, and have turned them into big action-thrillers. A Scanner Darkly is a different kind of story though. It’s not plot-driven in that way. It’s really about these guys and what they’re all doing in their alternate world and what’s going through their minds is really what keeps the story moving. So though it’s officially in the genre of science fiction, it’s much more character-based than plot driven. In that way, it’s different than many portrayals of the future. In this, you have people who are living their lives, hanging out, just trying to get through their day,” explains Linklater. Pallotta adds, “We felt the material called for a really faithful adaptation of Dick’s uniquely, humorous perspective of a very dark and disturbing issue.”
Linklater’s first foray into animation had been “Waking Life,” a film Wired magazine called “the first independent computer-animated feature film ever made in America—an abstract, psychedelic, digital video improv that takes the Disney/Pixar formula and turns it on its perfectly coiffed head.” He thought A Scanner Darkly lent itself to trying animation again.
To stay true to their goal, Linklater and Pallotta enlisted the help of two of the stewards of the Philip K. Dick trust, Dick’s daughters Laura Leslie and Isa Hackett. “We were originally approached by Tommy with the enticement of a faithful adaptation,” say Leslie and Hackett. “When we read Richard's screenplay, and then had the opportunity to meet with him and discuss his and our visions of ‘Scanner,’ we knew this was the right way to go.”
Movie Database
In Theaters
