Culture news “I already have the rushes” Zack Snyder wants a Director’s Cut for this sci-fi film which was a failure at the cinema
Published on 04/13/2024 at 8:05 p.m.
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Zack Snyder has occupied the media space for several weeks. His supposed Star Wars Killer produced by Netflix did not receive the reception expected by the filmmaker who continues to defend his vision of Space Opera tooth and nail. Ahead of the release of Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Slasher, he floated the idea of a Director’s Cut for one of his most controversial films.
The King of the Director’s Cut
Zack Snyder is a master in the subtle art of the Director’s Cut. Many of his film projects have benefited from a post-production extended version, sometimes to correct decisions made by the studios, sometimes to provide the ultimate “Snyder” experience. Watchmen (2009) was the first film to benefit from such treatment with no less than 24 minutes added to the original cut. Then begins the “SnyderVerse” period and with it that of the Director’s Cut. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), but especially Justice League are extensively modified.
The first gains in clarity, mainly in terms of plot. The second is, so to speak, another film. Warner Bros. has put its hand in its pocket to make Zack Snyder’s vision a reality by spending $70 million on Zack Snyder’s Justice League. With Rebel Moon, he pushes the concept even further by offering Netflix subscribers two versions of each part of his Space Opera. The combined length of the Director’s Cut of The Firechild and The Entaileuse is 6 hours. Another of his films also had the right to some additions, but never a so-called “final” edit, and he would like that to change.
A Director’s Cut for Sucker Punch?
Encouraged by the critical and/or commercial success of 300 (2007) and Watchmen: The Guardians (2009), Zack Snyder embarked on a much more personal project. In 2011, Sucker Punch was released at the cinema, directed and written by the American director. Unfortunately for him, the press shoots him down. This cinematic epic which borrows from film noir, heroic-fantasy, science fiction and even war films displays a sad score of 22% on RottenTomatoes. The public is a little more lenient, but above all divided on the subject (47% on RT). The box office finally gave its verdict and it was final. Sucker Punch ultimately only collected 89.9 million US dollars for 82 million spent during its production alone.
There is an extended R-rated version of Sucker Punch that offers Blu-ray owners an additional 18 minutes, but it is not truly a Director’s Cut. During an interview given by Zack Snyder to our colleagues at Empire Online, the American director expressed the desire to offer a definitive montage of Babydoll’s adventures.
The only movie I would change is Sucker Punch, because it was never finished properly. Even the Director’s Cut isn’t really the right edit. This is actually just an extended version. If I had the chance, I would correct this film. -Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder already has the rushes to edit his final version of Sucker Punch. What he needs is permission, time and fan support.
I’ve already shot the sequences: they just have to let me put them together. We ask sometimes. We have to ask again. (…) Given the success of previous fan initiatives, we may one day see Zack Snyder’s enhanced version of Sucker Punch. If they want to start a movement, that’s great.
