Zack Snyder, via a Letterboxd interview, is saying that his critically panned “Sucker Punch” deserves its own “Director’s Cut.” Is this going to be another #ReleaseTheSnyderCut?
In fact, he says he’s going to start working on this new cut very soon. I’m sure there are some Snyder fans who are dying to see this, but does the world actually need another version of “Sucker Punch”?
The hugely divisive 2011 fantasy-action movie grossed just $89 million grossed worldwide. It starred Emily Browning as Babydoll, a woman sent to a mental institution who starts fantasizing about a heist to escape imprisonment.
“It was a very polarizing film. To be frank, the people I’ve run across who’ve come to me and said ‘”Sucker Punch” is my favorite movie’ are normally angsty teenage girls. It’s like a Morrissey song or something […] You’ll get to see a director’s cut at some point, I’m sure. I hope.”
He continues to say, “I’ve never gotten around to doing the director’s cut. I still plan to at some point. But in the original ending when Babydoll is in the chair in the basement with Blue — she’s already been lobotomized — when the cop shines the light on her, the set breaks apart and she stands up and she sings a song on stage.”
The best thing I can say about “Sucker Punch” is that it had some very good cinematography, but, overall, the film was one big bore. It was same old, same old from Snyder: great visuals and poor writing.
Snyder did get a lot of push back from the studio to make it more commercial, but is there actually good movie hidden somewhere in there? I highly doubt it. This is a movie that includes an imaginary brothel where singing and dancing take place. Added to the mix are dragons, aliens, and a World War.
“Sucker Punch” is celebrating its 20th anniversary by screening at New York City’s IFC Center this weekend.
Bassim Tariq was the first one in the chair. The "Mogul Mowgli" director spent two years building out the Mahershala Ali vehicle before exiting in 2022, and he's now letting the air out on this one.