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DF. Blade Runner is expected to be released on DVD in a new version that is director approved. However, there already was once a "Director's Cut" of Blade Runner released to much fanfare in the 90's. How is this new cut of Blade Runner going to differ, and is it "The Real Director's Cut?"

CL: Anyone who's read Paul Sammon's "Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner" knows that the so-called 1992 "Director's Cut" is pretty much a cobbled-together, compromised mess and was basically the result of a rushed schedule and suffered from a variety of missing picture and sound elements. Ridley consented to it because, at the very least, it hit upon the big changes he wanted to make, which were the removal of the narration, removal of the happy ending and the inclusion of the Unicorn dream, which, unfortunately, wasn't the original cut of the Unicorn dream which had been lost, but an outtake from the original shoot.

Now we have the chance to...hopefully, fingers crossed...take it all the way. First and foremost, this whole project is about creating a fully-restored, state-of-the-art archival negative. So right now, we're working with Warner Bros. in restoring the film to the way Ridley originally wanted it.

DF. It is interesting, the issue of revisions and new versions of films. While you could argue in the case of a Legend or a Blade Runner that Ridley was never able to get the vision he wanted on the screen, as we know many filmmakers continue to tinker on their films even if they were happy with the final product when originally released.

I wonder about this because I think it has led to some consumer concern that the DVD they buy now will be outdated in a year or two when the next, bigger special edition comes along. I know that AMC, for example, is currently producing a new two-hour documentary on the making of ALIEN, including new interviews with the cast. What is interesting is that as good as any DVD can be, eventually there is always going to be some new footage or behind-the-scenes material or what-have you that can be added again to a future edition...

CL: There's also a documentary on the making of all four "Alien" films currently in the works by Noblesgate Productions, who also did those great documentaries on "The Exorcist," "The French Connection" and "Blade Runner." But, as you said, the original "Alien" DVD is pretty strong, as-is, so we would need a very compelling reason to go back and revisit it. I'm not saying it can't happen at some point down the road, but we've got other discs to do first.

DF: Many previous Ridley Scott films, such as GI Jane, White Squall, The Duellists, 1492 and Someone to Watch Over Me either remain unreleased or were released with minimal features. What can fans look forward to from Scott Free in the future?

CL: I know Ridley is especially interested in doing a nice disc for "The Duellists," since that was his first film, and I've already been in contact with some people over at Paramount about that and his other films there, so it's not really a matter of "if" but "when" at this point. The "Thelma & Louise" Special Edition will be out from MGM next year, and it's coming together nicely. We've had some amazing cast participation on this one, which is rare.

DF: Of course, Scott Free isn't only Ridley, but his brother Tony Scott...

CL: I know it seems that Ridley is the only Scott brother who's been interested in special edition DVDs, but I think Tony is finally warming up to participating in some cool DVD projects as well, so that's something else to look forward to. I think once Tony finishes work on "Spy Game," he'll be able to focus on what he'd like to do with some of his older films, DVD-wise.

DF: So, what do you have next up on your plate?

CL: As for myself, I've been approached to do some non-Scott Free titles now, with "Speed" being the immediate big one. I have to admit that it's kind of weird working on "Thelma & Louise" and "Speed" simultaneously. I have two different editors working nonstop for me right now, and every few minutes I have to keep shifting mental gears between two female outlaws and one exploding bus!

DF: Alright, now here's the $1,000,000 question I just gotta ask or the readers will hate me. Will Legend ever be released on DVD!? (cue sighs)

CL: No! Never! Honestly, I can't wait for "Legend" to be released, if for no other reason, so I don't have to read another "What's the latest on 'Legend?'" thread every week...but it's nice to know that the film is still very much in demand. At this point, "Legend" is almost done. Just a couple more things need to be finalized, and it's good to go. It's definitely in much better shape now than it was a year ago and I think the wait will definitely be worth it.

Darkness and light
Coming soon from Scott Free Productions are new special editions of (from top) 'Thelma & Louise,' and the anxiously-awaited 'Legend'

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