The Abyss director’s cut was much better than the theatrical release; the original cut of Alien 3 was far superior…and well, both versions of Zack Snyder’s Watchmen (2009) were equally epic. However, James Cameron’s director’s cut of Aliens (1986) totally spoilt the flow of the film and the build up of tension, thus the theatrical release was far, far better.

Director’s cuts are very much a lover/hate thing. They’re always interetsing to watch, but you have to remember the the director left those scenes on the cutting room floor for a reason. Sometimes they’re right…and sometimes they’re wrong. Sometimes that reason is simply studio interference, as was the case with the original Blade Runner, back in 1982.

In fact, Ridley Scott has tinkered with his Blade Runner a number of times over the years, resulting in various cuts of the film being released, but director Denis Villeneuve has no plans to alter Blade Runner 2049, even if fans are aching to see a rumored much longer cut of the movie.

Villeneuve has even said that the first cut of the sequel clocked in at around four hours and briefly considered releasing the movie in two parts – à la Kill Bill. That never happened obviously, but those holding out hope that we’ll get the four-hour cut on Blu-ray will be disappointed to hear that Villeneuve has no plans to release that version.

Speaking to ScreenCrush, he said, “The thing is, it’s true that the first cut was four hours and at one point we were like, ‘Okay, do we go to the producer and release it in two?’ But let’s say the idea of the movie being in two parts didn’t get out of the editing room. [Laughs] No, the best incarnation of the movie is what is in the theater. What was striking is that the four-hour cut was quite strong. But personally I prefer the one that is in the theater because it’s more elegant, I would say. But there are some scenes that were like [makes boosh sound]. Quite strong.”

Villeneuve said he won’t be releasing the four-hour cut, saying it “doesn’t work” as a finished film and added that while he was pleased with the first edit, he doesn’t miss what was cut out.

“I will say that there’s no great things that are being lost. When I cut something, it’s dead. It means it was not good enough. Even if sometimes I’m cutting my favorite shots, I still strongly think that when it’s cut on the floor of the editing room it should not go back to see the light of day again. I don’t like extended cuts. I must say, apart from Touch of Evil and Blade Runner, I have never seen a director’s cut that was better than the original. I mean, I’m not a fan at all of Apocalypse Now Redux. I thought it was a massive mistake to do Apocalypse Now Redux. It’s true that maybe sometimes the director lost control and had to do what producers – but, most of the time the movie stands by itself. It’s stronger than one individual.”

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