Movies - TV
Roger Ebert 'Spilled The Beans' Early For The Director’s Cut Of Dark City
By TRAVIS YATES
Typically, the studio producing a film has the final say on what's included in the theatrical or streaming release, and the only way for a director to fully show his or her vision for a film is in what is known as a director's cut. Alex Proyas' sci-fi neo-noir “Dark City” took years to get a director's cut, which was then spoiled by film critic Roger Ebert.
“Dark City” was released in theaters in 1998 and, despite being well-received by critics, was a box office flop, something Proyas blamed on studio interference. It would take 10 years for an official director's cut to release, but before that happened, Proyas said, “Roger Ebert [...] spilled the beans at a very early stage, way before we even started.”
Proyas had shown Ebert rough cuts of the film. Afterward, according to the director, “[Ebert] then of course proclaimed that this director's cut was coming out, which was great and I'm very grateful that he has been so supportive of the film over the years, but it let the cat out of the bag and from that point forward all my life was made a living hell.”
Ultimately, Proyas' director's cut of “Dark City” is a tad longer, with an additional subplot and added dialogue. The most noticeable difference is the removal of the opening exposition narration that outlines the film's premise, as well as the pre-title scene with the entire city falling asleep at midnight.