Blade Runner 2049is a curious sequel in that there are multiple versions of the original movie, leading many to wonder which one serves as therealoriginal leading up to this sequel? Negative responses to preview showings ofRidley Scott’s 1982 original led to Warner Bros. forcing some changes for the theatrical release, including that infamous narration. But after positive responses to Scott’s original workprint version at arthouse theaters, Warner Bros. approved the release ofthatversion as a “director’s cut.” And then there’sThe Final Cut, which was released in 2007 and is the only version of the movie over which Scott had complete editorial control.
So, between the theatrical cut, “director’s cut”, and final cut, which version ofBlade Runnershould you see before watchingBlade Runner 2049? Co-writerMichael Greenwas asked byio9if they had to choose which version he and co-writerHampton Fancherwere writing a sequel to, and his answer may surprise/frustrate you:
“No, it’s one of the great ideas of the film—that the subject of subjectivity is woven through the story. That the search for authenticity is the character’s journey, and it is also the journey of a fan. So, going into a potential sequel was just a recognition that those are chief among the themes at play.
And after that, you get to fanboy out amongst everyone else working on the film, learn what their favorite version is and why. I got to ask Ridley Scott that. I got to ask Denis [Villeneuve, the sequel’s director] that. I got to argue with Denis about that—and he respects opinions, because there’s no right or wrong. People ask often, ‘Which version should I watch if I haven’t seen it?’ I say the easiest answer is, ‘Whichever you can watch tonight.'”
So in the end, Green says in preparation forBlade Runner 2049, it’s dealer’s choice as far as which version ofBlade Runneryou watch:
“The truth is, it doesn’t matter. They’re all interesting in their own right. I think, unfortunately, some people have told me they haven’t watched it because the fear what they’re viewing is not “correct.” It’s unfortunate because any of them are worth seeing. But also because, by not being sure, you’re entering into the conversation ofBlade Runner.”
For what it’s worth,Blade Runner 2049directorDenis Villeneuvetold us back in 2015, just as he was gearing up on the project, that he was partial to the first and last cuts of the movie:
“The movie will be autonomous and at the same time there will be some link, but I cannot talk too much about it. The only thing I can say is I was raised with the original cut, the original version that Ridley doesn’t like. That’s theBlade Runnerthat I was introduced to at the beginning and that I loved for years, and then I must say that I’m someone that appreciated the very last cut, the [Final Cut] version. So between all the different cuts, for me it’s the first and the very last that I’m more inspired by.”
So this is all a long-winded way of saying, if you’re looking to prepare forBlade Runner 2049, there is no “wrong” cut ofBlade Runnerto watch. Andbased on early reactions, this is definitely a sequel that stands alone.
