Blade Runner Final Cut in Theaters Fall 2007

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Over the years, I have mentioned my love of Blade Runner, as well as my fondness for author Phillip K. Dick, too many times to count.

Last week, I noted the 25th Anniversary, and was pleased and pleasantly surprised to see how many of you share my enthusiasm for the film.

So here’s an update:  I had lunch with my college friend Ralph, who is in the film and theater business (we ate at the Brooklyn Diner across from the Nasdaq after I did a quick hit there for NDTV). When we were Stony Brook back in the last century, Ralph was the original founder and co-creator of Island-Con (now known as I-Con), of which the 27th annual version is already scheduled for April 2008.

He tells me that the Blade Runner: Final Cut film is now scheduled to be released theatrically Fall 2007.

"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 version (Final Cut) will be included. The set will also contain additional bonus materials. FC will include added & extended scenes, added lines of dialogue, new SFX, and it will also contain newly shot scenes.

The unofficial date mentioned by Ridley and Warner Brothers is late September early October. It will be shown at the Venice Film Festival, end of August, so hopefully that means it will be running in theaters here mid-September.

The boxed set will probably drop in early `08.

How awesome is that?

And, for you West Coasters, at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 27, there will be a preview of the new final cut and a panel discussion with cast and director!

"Then it’s the 25th Anniversary Blade Runner "Final Cut.” Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, Hannibal) has created a new, definitive version of this landmark film, with scenes and special effects that have never been shown before. Catch this first preview of the new version by the legendary director of the final, authoritative. and best presentation of one of the most acclaimed science fiction films of the 20th century. This presentation will feature unseen clips from the new cut as well as a look behind the scenes that will be featured on the upcoming DVD box set.

The panel includes Ridley Scott, Sean Young, Joanna Cassidy, Joe Turkel, James Hong, Syd Mead (designer/futurist), Mark Stetson (FX), and DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika.

I may have to fly to San Diego just for this . . .

As to the DVD release, its looking like a deluxe 5 DVD set, coming in early 2008:

Disc 1 – The Final Cut (2007):

• Ridley Scott’s definitive new version of his science-fiction masterpiece
  includes added & extended scenes, added lines and new and cleaner special
  effects.

Disc 2 – 3 Complete Film Versions:

• ‘82 U.S. Theatrical version
• ‘82 International Theatrical version
• ‘92
  Director’s Cut

Disc 3 – “Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner”
Documentary

• Newly created documentary: Through interviews with the cast and crew,
  critics and colleagues, this feature-length documentary provides a
  mainstream-friendly yet meaningful in-depth look at Blade Runner’s literary
  genesis, its challenging production and controversial legacy. When all is said
  and done, this will be the definitive documentary on the film.

Disc 4 – Enhanced Content Bonus:

• INCEPTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to Philip K. Dick, the birth
  of Cyberpunk and adapting the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

• PRE-PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to script development,
  conceptual design and abandoned sequences.

• PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to principal photography and
  locations.
• POST-PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to deleted scenes, music
  and visual effects.
• RELEASE – Featurettes and galleries devoted to marketing and reaction
  including Trailers, TV Spots and Promotional Featurettes
• LEGACY – Featurettes and galleries devoted to the film’s resurrection and
  impact.

Disc 5 – Work Print Version & Enhanced
Content:

• Including the rarely seen Work Print version and potentially the 52 min.
  Channel Four (UK) documentary which was the first serious documentary created
  for the film.

Additionally, the set will come packaged in a limited “Blade Runner”
briefcase holding the five-disc digipack with foil-enhanced and embossed
slipcase. The goodies inside will include a lenticular motion image from the
original feature, a collectible model spinner, an origami unicorn, a collection
of photographs and a letter from Ridley Scott.

Here’s the trailer:

Hat tip:  cyberpunkreview

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Sources:
Blade Runner Final Cut is Coming
Warner Home Video, May 26, 2006
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14724

Details on Blade Runner: The Ultimate Collection at  Binary Bonsai
Thursday, May 17th, 2007
http://binarybonsai.com/archives/2007/05/17/details-on-blade-runner-the-ultimate-collection/