logo Sign In

Blade Runner: The Original Cuts in 4K HDR

Author
Time

In 2007, to create the “Final Cut” of the film, Ridley Scott and Warner Bros. rebuilt Blade Runner from the ground up using a new 4K digital intermediate. What if, instead of stopping with the Final Cut, Warner Bros. used this DI to restore the previous cuts of the film as well?
This fanedit restores the US Theatrical, International, and Director’s Cuts of Blade Runner in 4K HDR using the Final Cut 4K Blu-ray. The footage will feature a scene-by-scene regrade to match the warmer tones of the 1999 DVD. Any major visual changes will be replaced with footage from the Theatrical Cut Blu-ray, which will be upscaled to 4k and regraded to match. In addition, each version of the film will feature a Dolby Atmos Soundtrack, edited to match each version’s content.

Here is a proof-of-concept clip:
https://youtu.be/nWLAVAgPvL0

Poster

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Project Update:
I am about 70% complete with color grading (up to when Batty meets Tyrell), and you can see the difference in the attached screenshots below. While they are not in 4k or in HDR, they can at least give an impression of what the edit will look like. You can also watch the fully completed opening sequence linked below. Once the grading is done, I can start integrating the upscaled Blu-ray footage into the edit to create all three versions (thank goodness for the nerds over at movie-censorship.com for documenting every change down to the frame…)

Opening sequence: https://mega.nz/folder/395ggYhB#dNfXk2nXy4TdIONmvcKbvA

Green!

Less Green!

Author
Time

Actually I’ve seen stills of frames from a real authentic 35mm print and the Final Cut 4K matches it very well. The neutral grade isn’t accurate at all.

Raccoons