BLADE RUNNER gets a new cut, re-release in theatres and more!

HO. LY. SHIT. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

FROM JoBlo's Arrow in the Head:

Quote:

One of the most notable studio vs. director battles in film history took place over Sci-Fi classic BLADE RUNNER. Helmed by Ridley Scott, the original release got gangbanged when the completion bond guarantors wrested control from Scott because of budget issues. Most famously they added substantial voiceovers (Harrison Ford reportedly did them poorly on purpose hoping that would prevent their inclusion), and a happy ending.

Fast forward to 1992 and Scott was given the chance to release a director's cut, but he also claims he was rushed and was never particularly happy with it. This despite a far better response than the original received.

Now a myriad of rights issues have been sorted out and Warner home video is set to let us all finally see Scott's original vision:

The restored "Director's Cut" will debut on homevid 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.

Granted 25 years is a long time to wait for a project to finally get its just due, but better late than never. Thank goodness Warner is doing right by the project, rather than just remaking the damn thing!

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Awesome Awesome news. Can someone clarify though, the 3 disc set that comes out 2007, that DOES NOT include the "Final Cut" version thats gonna be out for 4 months only right?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

That's fucking awesome, that is. Just fantastic.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Finally! People are excited about this news! O_o

Yeah, I'm thinking that it means that the current DVD will be discontinued shortly before the theatrical rerun.

Boy oh boy seeing it on the big screen is gonna be something!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm going to pick up the newest edition and the tri-box set. I mean, really... how could you not?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Don't know who wouldn't.

I don't really know what the new 'Final Cut' will add though, Scott clearly explained in the 'Director's Cut' that Deckard was a Replicant.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

This is fantastic news, indeed.

FELIPE NO

It's not the workprint, so I can't get excited. The only movie that has more lost footage that Blade Runner, is The Magnificent Ambersons.

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Originally Posted by LeHah

It's not the workprint, so I can't get excited. The only movie that has more lost footage that Blade Runner, is The Magnificent Ambersons.

Don't know how much was cut in that one but more than 35 minutes was cut from JOHNNY MNEMONIC. Sadly, since the 'butchered' version sucks, no one wants to see the real version.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

Don't know how much was cut in that one

The workprint contained a ton of sequences that never saw the light of day. In fact, some of them - like Deckard going to visit Holden in the hospital - are only known because of a photograph or two.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Really? That'd be nice.

Also, I'm still baffled at how good-looking this movie looks, even by today's standards. It's easy to forget that it was made in 1982.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'm am so gonna buy this! It's still one of the best Sci-Fi films ever!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

Also, I'm still baffled at how good-looking this movie looks, even by today's standards. It's easy to forget that it was made in 1982.

I think it best to wait to see what Scott does with the film. The original cut has its strengths, just like the director's cut which is certainly superior. To do this again seems incredibly redundant and really cheap - think X-Men 1.5.

Though I do love the movie, I'm tired of seeing it get whored out. I liked this movie before the bandwagon rolled through and to see Scott whip his dick out to make yet another director's cut really doesn't do anything to make me like him. I'd expect more from him than a George Lucas manuever. Then again, he hasn't made a good movie in probably 20 years.

Will I buy it? Probably - so I shouldn't bitch. But I want to see where this goes first.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I'm just happy that'll it be a new transfer compared to the original 1997 DVD release. I'd gather that "home video" will also include a HD-DVD/Blu Ray release too?

I wonder if Scott is going to go with the originally planned Drew Struzan art for the DVD's cover packaging...


....or possibly John Alvin's revised poster of the original one-sheet he did:


What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I don't really see how it's 'redundant and cheap'. Only ONE version of the DVD got out. And that was in 1997 when the first DVDs hit the market, so I don't think we got too much of it.

We would've gotten a new DVD and a new cut sooner but because of the years of legal troubles with the rights of the movie, it prevented it.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

I don't really see how it's 'redundant and cheap'. Only ONE version of the DVD got out. And that was in 1997 when the first DVDs hit the market, so I don't think we got too much of it.

But then theres the theatrical DVD, the director's cut VHS, the director's cut DVD (which you just mentioned), the American LD, the Japanese LD, the extended european cut, the rumored early edit that was shown at a convention...

Its that this movie has been hacked up more than a Jason Voorhees victim is all. I'd've hoped that Scott would've put more time and effort into making the long-stalled sequel than just rehashing old glories. He's like a 45 year old man who's obsessed with his days playing high school football.

How ya doing, buddy?

Could I possibly get a link to the full article? =d

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Gechmir

Could I possibly get a link to the full article? =d

Here's a link to ComingSoon.net's article which is pretty much the same thing:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14724

The original story originated from Variety but you need to subscribe to the site to view the full story.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by LeHah

But then theres the theatrical DVD, the director's cut VHS, the director's cut DVD (which you just mentioned), the American LD, the Japanese LD, the extended european cut, the rumored early edit that was shown at a convention...

Yeah but VHS and LaserDiscs aren't really the 'thing'.

There's a DVD of the Theatrical version?! A sequel was planned?! My dick's on fire?!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've never seen the film and I was about to go buy it. Now I'm going to wait for the Final Cut release. Is there a more precise release date than 2007?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

There's a DVD of the Theatrical version?!

I believe it was Region 3 only.

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

A sequel was planned?!

Been rumored on and off for years, just like Scott returning to the Alien franchise. Ford has stated that he's only as interested as someone can be without reading a script. It should be noted that Ford hated his working experience on Blade Runner, the crew hated Scott, Sean Young hated Harrison Ford for slapping her around too hard in the bedroom scene, Ford hated Young for being a snob and there was also the "Blade Runner Curse".

I sincerely doubt that anyone previously involved would want to make a sequel, especially if its based after the INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE K.W. Jeter books.

I was speaking idiomatically.

We should get a 'Heart of Darkness'-type of Documentary for the new DVD. We don't have enough of those. Only Terry Gilliam has the balls to do it nowadays.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by SketchTheArtist

We should get a 'Heart of Darkness'-type of Documentary for the new DVD.

Theres a book out about the production of Blade Runner. Its pretty tabloid stuff but the facts in it are right. Its worth taking a glance through if you're really interested.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

FELIPE NO

I dunno ... I know it sounds legitimate to many, but I tend to think that once something is released, you may as well keep it at that.

At least the original version already have it's DVD, as opposed to Apocalypse Now that we are condemned to see in it's crappy Redux version till the ends of times or the old Star Wars movies ... <_<

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Thanks man! I'll order it right away!

How ya doing, buddy?