No it’s not Hyperbole. The remnants of the other cut are in the books and games and trailers which have been released or referencing extensive work that was created for this other cut.
Even if Lucusfilm wanted to sweep it under the rug there really is not much point now as there is so many things people can see that did not end up in the film it would be more ludicrous to deny that it ever existed as it’s in print, video footage and Games.
I don’t think Lucusfilm are really being tight lipped about any of it. They are not releasing any real solid details of it exactly apart from a few bit’s here and there.
I think it is very interesting and fun to find things. And really I don’t think we can go much further until we get some solid facts.
Bringing all the information together is fun and having a guess at the re-shoots is more fun 😃
I should add I like the film a lot but I also can’t help wondering if I would like the other cut more or less than the version we saw in the cinema.
It’s different and that is what makes it so compelling.