Blade Runner (lost San Diego sneak preview cut of science-fiction film; 1982)

Roy Batty in a found scene from another cut.

Status: Lost

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. From its original workprint, a total of 6 different versions exist. These versions of the movie are the US Theatrical Cut, International Theatrical Cut, US Broadcast Cut, Director's Cut, Final Cut, and the San Diego Sneak Preview. Each version has different scenes and edits.

The Preview

When the workprint was shown to test audiences in Denver and Dallas, it received negative results and multiple edits were imposed by the studio. It then led to the US and International cuts which include a happy ending, thirteen explanatory voice-overs and 3 snippets of violence for the International cut. While the other versions have seen a wide release, the San Diego Preview was shown only once as a special preview event in May 1982. The edit is said to be nearly identical to the US Theatrical Cut , except for 3 additional scenes that are not found in any other cuts. These scenes are:

• An introduction for Roy Batty in a VidPhon booth. (Now replaced with recycled footage from Roy confronting Tyrell and Roy's hand in the Bradbury Building)
• Deckard reloading his gun after Batty broke his fingers.
• A shot of Deckard and Rachael riding off into the sunset, likely tying in with the ending scene in the 1982 theatrical release.

Despite the cult status of this movie, these scenes have not been released since the sneak preview event. Due to the home video recording technology of the time period and presumed security around the event, it is unlikely anyone was able to bootleg the cut. With the 5-disc Ultimate Collectors Edition not containing these scenes, it's unlikely that these scenes will be commercially released.