News culture “I’m in a hurry” Zack Snyder wants a director’s cut for this sci-fi film that was a theatrical failure
Zack Snyder has been occupying the media space for several weeks. His supposed “Star Wars Killer”, produced by Netflix, did not receive the expected response from the filmmaker, who continues to defend his vision of the “space opera” at all costs. Before 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.
Le Roi from the Director’s Cut
Zack Snyder is a master in the subtle art of the director’s cut. Many of his film projects benefited from extended post-production, sometimes to correct studio decisions, sometimes to provide the ultimate “Snyder” experience. Watchmen (2009) was the first film to benefit from this treatment, adding no less than 24 minutes to the original cut. Then the “SnyderVerse” phase begins and with it the Director’s Cut. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), but especially Justice League, were extensively modified.
The first gains clarity, especially when it comes to the plot. The second one 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 total length of the director’s cut of “The Fire Child” and “The Entaileuse” is 6 hours. Another of his films also had the right to some additions, but never to a so-called “final” cut, and he would like to change that.
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. “Sucker Punch” was released in cinemas in 2011 and was directed and written by the American director. Unfortunately, he is shot down by the press. This cinematic epic, which borrows from film noir, heroic fantasy, science fiction and even war films, has a dismal score of 22% on RottenTomatoes. The public is somewhat more forgiving, but mostly divided on the issue (47% on RT). The box office finally gave its verdict and it was final. Sucker Punch ultimately only grossed $89.9 million for the $82 million spent during production alone.
There is an extended R-rated version of Sucker Punch that gives Blu-ray owners an additional 18 minutes, but it’s not really a director’s cut. During an interview Zack Snyder gave to our colleagues at Empire Online, The American director expressed a desire to offer a definitive montage of Babydoll’s adventures.
The only movie I would change is Sucker Punch because it was never really finished. Even the director’s cut isn’t really the right cut. This is actually just an expanded version. If I had the chance, I would correct this film. -Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder is already rushing to edit his final version of Sucker Punch. What he needs is permission, time and fan support.
I’ve already shot the sequences, I just need to put them together. We sometimes ask. We have to ask again. (…) Given the success of previous fan initiatives, perhaps one day we will see Zack Snyder’s improved version of Sucker Punch. If they want to start a movement, that’s great.
