Blade Runner Final Cut is Coming

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14724

Source: Variety
May 26, 2006



Warner Home Video has disentangled the rights issues for Blade Runner to pave the way for a September reissue of the remastered "Director's Cut" version, followed by a theatrical release of a version promised to be truly Ridley Scott's final cut.

Variety says that Warner's rights to Blade Runner lapsed a year ago, but the studio has since negotiated a long-term license. The film, now considered a sci-fi classic, has had a troubled history from the start: When Scott ran overbudget, completion bond guarantors took control of it and made substantial changes before its 1982 theatrical release, adding a voiceover and happy ending. That version was replaced by the much better-received director's cut in 1992, but Scott has long been unhappy with it, complaining that he was rushed and unable to give it proper attention.

The helmer started working on the final cut version in 2000, but that project was shelved by Warner soon after, apparently because the studio couldn't come to terms with Jerry Perenchio over rights issues.

The trade adds that the restored "Director's Cut" will debut on home video in September, and remain on sale for four months only, after which time it will be placed on moratorium.

"Blade Runner: Final Cut" will arrive in 2007 for a limited 25th anniversary theatrical run, followed by a special edition DVD with the three previous versions offered as alternate viewing: Besides the original theatrical version and director's cut, the expanded international theatrical cut will be included. The set will also contain additional bonus materials.

 

[aaron]

Yes! yes! yes!

this is great news

 

[블라스]

Finally

 

[Darthphere]

Awesome

 

[Socrates]

Kickass.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I've been wanting to get that for a while now, and was going to get the Director's cut--but I might just wait for that big hulking monster to come out on DVD.

 

[Cinemaman]

I loved this great movie! Finally I will get it on DVD!

 

[black_dust]

Sweeeeeeet!

 

[T1000416]

It's about time!

 

[Movies205]

Home Theatre Forum is saying the director's cut being placed on morium is the current director's cut, just to clear somethings up.

 

[ZER0C00L]

cant wait to own this.

 

[deathshead2]

This is really great news.

 

[CrimsonMist]

so in the mega box, we get the theatrical release, the european theatrical release, the director's cut AND the Final Cut?

and we're getting a THEATRICAL RUN?!....i may have soiled myself.

 

[Motown Marvel]

hell yeah! im way excited to see it in theaters.

 

[tzarinna]

That is great news, it will be awsome to see it in the theater.

 

[black_dust]

What about extras? what are going to be on the dvds?

 

[xwolverine2]

i never saw it.... whats so good about that movie?..should i rent it?

 

[rooked]

I'll buy it on DAY 1.

 

[xwolverine2]

i never saw it.... whats so good about that movie?..should i rent it?

^
anyone?

 

[David Ford, RPD]

^
anyone?

It is perhaps the best sci-fi film ever made.

 

[green]

i never saw it.... whats so good about that movie?..should i rent it?

No you should buy it...it's probably one of the best sci-fi movies of all time ofcourse that's just my humble opinion but Im sure there's lots who feel the same way.



This is one movie Id gladly pay for any version released.

 

[Eggyman]

Holy thread resurrection!

So what do people think of this Final Cut?

I've had it on DVD for a couple of months and love it... I never used to

I much prefer the film without the original V/O by Ford - you could just tell his heart wasn't in it when recording the V/O for the film; neither he nor Scott felt it was warranted but according to accounts on the special features their hands were forced by WB to add it to make sure people understood what was happening

Thoughts?

 

[Roy Batty]

The Final Cut is great. It fixes some mistakes in the DC and adds some new scenes, but doesnt go overboard like Lucas did with the original Star Wars Trilogy. As for the Deckard VO, Paul Sammon's book Future Noir explains that they basically pressured Ridley to add a VO to the theatrical cut after test audiences complained they didnt understand some of the things going on in the movie. Harrison Ford purposely did the VO badly, because he hated its "Irving the explainer" quality and hoped that they would ultimately cut it from the movie.

 

[Eggyman]

The Final Cut is great. It fixes some mistakes in the DC and adds some new scenes, but doesnt go overboard like Lucas did with the original Star Wars Trilogy. As for the Deckard VO, Paul Sammon's book Future Noir explains that they basically pressured Ridley to add a VO to the theatrical cut after test audiences complained they didnt understand some of the things going on in the movie. Harrison Ford purposely did the VO badly, because he hated its "Irving the explainer" quality and hoped that they would ultimately cut it from the movie.

That's pretty much how they explain it on the special features disk. It just sounds so flat, and it took them ages to find what the character should be saying said V/O.

I remember the ending one: 'I don't know why he didn't kill me...'

= flat, unenthusiastic drivel.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea the voice overs were crap. The brilliant part of Blade Runner, for me anyway, was that it left things to the viewers imagination. I don't want every little nuance spelled out for me, I prefer to figure it out myself.