Sunday, November 05, 2006

If only he could change the setting from Los Angeles back to San Francisco and replace Sean Young


I ran across the following while catching up on blogs and following links until I forgot where I started from. I was not aware that the voice over was added by the studio or that Scott was essentially fired. I hope the theatrical version ends up at the Bijou. I remember seeing this at a second-run movie house, possibly The Red Vic. Didn't we we have this San Fran movie theatre discussion already with Churlita and Red State Librarian? Will Ohio still be red next week? Why am I talking to myself? Inquiring minds want to know. Tune in next week for as the Congress turns.

From SCI FI Wire...

Warner Home Video will issue a new remastered director's cut of the classic SF movie Blade Runner in September (2006) now that it has cleared up rights issues, followed by a theatrical release of a version promised to be truly director Ridley Scott's final cut, Variety reported. Warner's rights to Blade Runner lapsed a year ago, but the studio has since negotiated a long-term license.

The movie has a troubled history. When Scott ran over budget, completion bond guarantors took control of it and made substantial changes before its 1982 theatrical release, adding a voice-over and a 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.

Scott 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 restored "director's cut" will debut on home video in September and will remain on sale for only four months, 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

3 comments:

TJ said...

This is very cool news. I've never seen the theatrical version, and I've always wanted to compare it against the first director's cut. I wonder how different this "final cut" will be.

Churlita said...

I would love to see it again. I've only seen it once on video on a black and white TV. It was my ex-boyfriend's favorite movie so we watched it together on my 22nd birthday.

We used to call this guy who worked at Great Mid for a while, The Replicant.

Unknown said...

Part of it is going back to the book and the possibility that Deckard may be a replicant.