Prime Time Geek

Sure, why not?

We saw it with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, released in both theatrical and Extended Cut versions on DVD. More recently, we saw it with the release of the Blade Runner Five-Disc Complete Collector’s Edition, which featured FIVE different cuts of the movie (at least it was all in one package, as opposed to LOTR’s double-dip).

Now, we’re hearing straight from director Zach Snyder (300), that Watchmen, easily the most eagerly-anticipated box office release of the Spring, will come to home video in three separate, distinct cuts, starting with the theatrical cut on DVD and blu-ray in July. Here’s Snyder talking about his plans for the release (Thanks to Rob Allstetter, the author of www.comicscontinuum.com and someone who has to be one of the hardest working journalists covering comics and comic-related TV and film out there right now to do what he does EVERY day, for posting this story on Wednesday):

“We’re hoping that we do, at the time of relase of the DVD release in July, they release a director’s cut, which is three hours long,” Snyder said at the Watchmen press junket on Wednesday. “In the fall, they’re going to do the Black Freighter cut, which is all the ins and outs of the Black Freighter, which is the comic book within the comic book. We shot all of those. The final result of that is like a 3-hour, 30-minute/25-minute version of the movie which is everything. It’s the kitchen sink version.

“It’s really three different movies in a lot of way. I think the theatrical versions, which is radically strange in its own way, fits IMAX. I think the director’s cut, which is almost three hours, is pretty most of the stuff that we shot, 99 percent of the stuff that we shot, which I like by the way.”

Snyder goes to describe the director’s cut version as “more violent … [its] slightly more sexy. It’s more Manhattan nudity. It’s just more of everything.”

Here’s my question: is this going to be one of those situations like LOTR where once you see the director’s cut or the Black Freighter cut or whatever, you’ll realize you shouldn’t have bothered with the theatrical version? Seriously, did ANYONE (aside from me, because I rarely get rid of things) hold on to their theatrical edition DVD editions of LOTR once the Extended Cuts were available? Because honestly, this takes away from my desire to see this movie in the theaters, somewhat. I’ve said all along that the cuts the studio demanded for the theatrical release could do nothing but harm a TRUE adaptation of Alan Moore’s work. No real fan of the graphic novel is likely to be satisfied with what hits the screens March 6th. More than likely, they’ll walk out thinking, “Hope they get it right in the extended version.”

Time will tell. In the meantime, Watchmen fans, best start putting aside money for this “triple-dip” over at Best Buy or Amazon …