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For Sale Mar 27, 2026 at 9:52 PM

‘Project Hail Mary’ Directors Screened a Nearly Four-Hour Cut to Other Filmmakers and Were Told to ‘Get It Way Shorter’: ‘It Was Embarrassing’

Posted by mlg1981


‘Project Hail Mary’ Directors Screened a Nearly Four-Hour Cut to Other Filmmakers and Were Told to ‘Get It Way Shorter’: ‘It Was Embarrassing’
Variety
‘Project Hail Mary’ Directors Screened a Nearly Four-Hour Cut to Other Filmmakers and Were Told to ‘Get It Way Shorter’: ‘It Was Embarrassing’
'Project Hail Mary' directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller screened a nearly four-hour cut to other filmmakers and were told to 'get it way shorter.'

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spicy_ass_mayo Mar 27, 2026 +309
I feel like they did a good job with it. The things that got left out or reduced to a line or two - I understand why. Feel like it has broad appeal and did well by the book. I would have watched a 4 hour version but no way would my wife and son.
309
topheavyhookjaws Mar 27, 2026 +55
Exactly that, watched it with my wife. Both enjoyed it. I would have watched a 4 hour version that expanded on the science parts of the book at the end, but there's no chance my wife would have. She was already hesitant when I said it was 2.5 hours
55
mihirmusprime Mar 27, 2026 +26
Was it the short attention span or was it the bathroom part? I love long movies, as long as they deserve the runtime. They need to bring back intermissions for bathroom breaks though. There was one during The Brutalist and it was so nice.
26
Kitnado Mar 27, 2026 +9
They need to bring back normal movie times. They used to be 1h30m - 2h and now they’re 2h30 - 3h30. This absolutely did not increase the quality
9
Funmachine Mar 27, 2026 +24
There's always been long movies. The Godfather is almost 3 hours long, Gone with the Wind is almost 4 hours long.
24
Devilsadvocate430 Mar 27, 2026 +11
Yeah basically any notable Charlton Heston film from the 50s and 60s are super long. If audiences in ‘59 can watch nearly 4 hours of Ben-Hur im sure most people can stomach a 2.5 hour sci-fi flick
11
buttmunchausenface Mar 28, 2026 +7
They had intermission back then though
7
Devilsadvocate430 Mar 28, 2026 +8
I mean there’s no reason we can’t have that now, too. The Brutalist had one
8
Ws6fiend Mar 28, 2026 +1
Intermission are pretty frowned upon by the corporations who now own most of the theaters. Shorter run times and more screens means more ticket sales for the studio/corporation. Intermission adds time that adds up throughout the day into another potential viewing. Independent theater owners like it because it increases food sales.
1
MartinMerten Mar 28, 2026 +2
Yah… their business plan is perfect. They shouldn’t change a thing… it’s the world that’s wrong.
2
OneTrainOps Mar 28, 2026 +6
Yeah the 2.5 hour movie is totally a new invention lol. Just go to the bathroom. Yes intermissions existed in the past, they weren’t nearly as common as some people would have you believe.
6
mihirmusprime Mar 27, 2026 +3
Eh, you don't watch many movies, most are under 2hr 30min lol. Just naming latest movies I've seen: Hoppers, Crime 101, Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die, Wuthering Heights, No Other Choice, etc. They're all under. I'm going through my history right now, I'm having trouble finding things over 2hr 30m. I had to go all the way back to Avatar 3. Basically that's the last super long movie I've seen. The vast majority is far more reasonable. Seems fine to me. *Shrug*
3
MartinMerten Mar 28, 2026 +1
And old prices as well
1
ThunkAsDrinklePeep Mar 28, 2026 +3
There's an extended version of the Martian. I'm sure The 4 hour version will be sold too.
3
DarthVader808 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Today I learned this Hail Mary was a book first I’m on an island.
1
Hayterfan Mar 27, 2026 +6
>but no way would my wife and son. Sure you could have. Just strap them into that chair from a clockwork orange. Although that might raise ethical questions
6
DefiantRadish1492 Mar 27, 2026 +5
Totally. Like 4 hours extended edition of Return of the King? Yes please. I also know that isn’t for everybody though… especially not the theater if you want to make money, LOL.
5
Bainsyboy Mar 28, 2026 +1
I watched the Return of the King in theatres. It was the theatrical release, of course, and I loved it. But I distinctly remember my bladder was absolutely bursting by the end, and the multiple times the screen faded to black making me think I could soon go sprinting to the bathroom was agonizing.
1
ThePoobahsJester Mar 27, 2026 +3
the only thing I don’t really get why they cut is the genetic coma immunity. Without that being made clear it does feel like “why the hell do they have to send this guy?” I still gave the movie 5 stars though lol
3
hanky2 Mar 28, 2026 +5
As someone who didn’t read the book I bought their explanation of sending him. He spent the past couple months planning scientists on the mission and they all died so he had to go.
5
dr_henry_jones Mar 28, 2026 +4
What killed me is that they could have added 10 lines that would have added sooooo much more to the movie than the random out of character karaoke scene! - Wait, so you can just do complex math in your head?! - Your ship is fueled by astrophage too? - any real mention of the temperature, pressure, or ammonia of his atmosphere. - more than one line about the breeding. - a three sentence explanation of how he was using the IR drive to radar Rocky's ship. (They showed it but it didn't really make much sense if you didn't read the book) - more than 2 lines per astronaut - more detailed explanation about how they don't understand relativity and radiation and that's why they had extra fuel - a little more on how crazy the fishing sequence was. Rocky just made 10 km of chain in like 5 seconds. - anything showing Rocky being an engineer more. I swear we get like one shot of him building something. -
4
Full-Curve7436 Mar 28, 2026 +7
>Your ship is fueled by astrophage too? I swear I remember hearing a variation of this line in the film.
7
dr_henry_jones Mar 28, 2026 +2
I think the first I heard of it was when he said I can give you the fuel.
2
Aeonnorthern Mar 28, 2026 +4
Also at the point where they mention why he survived over his other crew about how his engineering section was surrounded by the astrophage
4
th3critic Mar 28, 2026 +7
If you are referring to the karaoke scene on Earth, I found that to be one of the most powerful moments in the film. The song was so perfect I had to wipe away tears.
7
dr_henry_jones Mar 28, 2026 -4
If you read the book it's completely out of character for her. I think the actress kind of got her entire character wrong. Should have supposed to be demanding and callous and firm and she was just kind of quiet in the movie.
-4
Last_Economics Mar 28, 2026 +1
Totally agreed. For me I also was expecting them to portray how difficult it was for grace to find Rocky’s ship in the end. Would have made their reunion hit a bit harder
1
Hmmmm-curious Mar 28, 2026 +1
I would watch it. I think my whole family would.
1
dr_henry_jones Mar 28, 2026 +1
I forgot to add that to my list. Literally like 30 seconds of exposition is All you need
1
zwcropper Mar 28, 2026 +1
I think there's enough to have made 3 seasons of TV especially with the way episode lengths are now. Season 1 is all about Grace remembering who he is. Season 2 is about learning to communicate and ends reaching Adrian. Season 3 is solving the problem and getting home
1
DarthVader808 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Same. I would watch 4 hours. The wife wouldn’t but she’s not a sci-fi and she loved this movie. We just got out
1
TrumpsBussy_ Mar 28, 2026 +1
How long is the cinema version?
1
Dragon_yum Mar 28, 2026 +1
I just want to see Antarctica nuked tbh
1
Previous_Spinach_168 Mar 27, 2026 +1
> Felt like it has broad appeal It’s interesting how this can be viewed as a bug or a feature.
1
bioszombie Mar 28, 2026 +1
Personally, I feel films are getting far too long. I don’t have three to five business days to watch a movie. Plus, I’m getting old. My bladder doesn’t support road trips or long stints sitting for a long movie. With that said my wife and I saw Project Hail Mary this evening. We enjoyed it! I think they did good with the overall story, cut, and pacing.
1
olduvai_man Mar 28, 2026 +1
This is definitely a me thing, but I've grown very tired of the marvel-esque humor and glibness about otherwise very serious circumstances. It diffuses any tension but this film seems tailored to children and young adults so I suppose that's not completely fair.
1
frolie0 Mar 27, 2026 +66
The movie absolutely could have used another 20 mins or so. Especially the last act. They burned through that way too quickly and it could have had way more gravity to it (no pun intended).
66
Riderz__of_Brohan Mar 27, 2026 +46
Eh, they already did the “Is Rocky going to die” emotional climax thing like 3 times by then
46
Lake9009 Mar 28, 2026 +8
Yeah by the second time I knew the story had a happy ending
8
canuck_11 Mar 28, 2026 +14
Were you someone who read the book? As someone who didn’t it felt like it was getting a bit long.
14
CheapWeight8403 Mar 28, 2026 +1
I didn't read the book, but I could have gone for a longer cut of this movie. I liked the problem solving and the friendship.
1
DweltElephant0 Mar 28, 2026 +7
This feels crazy to me because the one complaint I had was that it felt like it was about 20 minutes too long and had about 7 climaxes in the last half hour. Loved the movie, but I can’t imagine thinking it needed more time.
7
topheavyhookjaws Mar 28, 2026 +3
Only saying that because you know the book. Think it's a near perfect adaptation for normal audiences
3
frolie0 Mar 28, 2026
It's not the only reason, but obviously I know how good it could have been. The decision to turn back or not had almost no weight in the movie. It was basically just a given, where the book had more reasons to consider it and it also does a great job of creating doubt about the decision. But it was also things like the fuel leak and the TalMoeba breeding, it was all incredibly rushed at the end.
0
Ok_Tank5977 Mar 27, 2026 +2
I really enjoyed this one but both my mother and I thought we were heading into the 3-hour territory by the end. To both of us it just felt longer than it was.
2
quote88 Mar 28, 2026 +1
That’s literally how it is in the book too tho
1
blindreefer Mar 27, 2026
There’s a point where the movie could have ended but didn’t and my seat started to feel less and less comfortable after that
0
mlg1981 Mar 27, 2026 +137
Release the 4 hour cut - I’ll gladly pay for it and watch it with enthusiasm!
137
cheddarben Mar 27, 2026 +17
Yeah, me too. They cut out enough from the book that I would like to see it! Still, I thought it was a great movie.
17
adak732 Mar 27, 2026 +22
They should do an Extended Edition like they did with the Lord of the Rings movies!
22
GodOfManyFaces Mar 27, 2026 +7
The difference being, the extended cut for LOTR is not what Peter Jackson thinks of as the definitive cut. He did it only for the fans.
7
CheapWeight8403 Mar 28, 2026 +2
I think we're fine with that with this too. I don't need the long cut to be the "definitive cut." I just want to see more.
2
adidas198 Mar 27, 2026 +7
I'll buy the blu ray just for the extra footage.
7
tremens Mar 28, 2026 +2
I would not mind *at all* if it was done as like a 2 1/2 hour theatrical cut and then a 4 or 6 hour mini series option on disc and streaming.
2
Oz347 Mar 28, 2026 +1
I would do that! We ended up seeing it at a local theater to support them but halfway through I was like “f*** we should have seen this in imax”
1
Red-Sun-Cinema Mar 27, 2026 +16
That's routine. It's called an assembly cut. Directors routinely show those around to the people they trust to get their opinion, then based on that, they trim it down to a final cut.
16
pm_me_your_respect69 Mar 28, 2026 +2
Seriously. Almost every single (big studio at least) movie anybody reading this has ever seen once began as an absurdly long assembly cut that was never meant to see the light of day lol
2
mrpurtle Mar 27, 2026 +15
Yet again people don't understand what an assembly cut is. Just because they had a 4 hour cut doesn't mean it was all good or important. Most of that extra hour and a half were probably redundant exposition, jokes that didn't work, and just boring sequences. Scenes are usually cut for a reason.
15
Tibbaryllis2 Mar 27, 2026 +3
Based on the movie, which I liked, I wonder how much of the additional 90 minutes was even more time spent in the holographic room.
3
Tofurkey_Tom Mar 27, 2026 +22
Yes please! I would like to see the 4 hour movie!
22
SamwellBarley Mar 27, 2026 +11
The movie was 2 and a half hours long and it felt short. I'd happily sit through 4 hours of it.
11
According_Loss_1768 Mar 27, 2026 +10
Wife purchased our tickets so I watched without knowing it was nearly 3 hours and I was shocked when I looked at the time after leaving. Fully engaged the entire time, not many wasted minutes.
10
Fair-Doughnut3000 Mar 27, 2026 +7
Yeah but did they ask for more or less muppets?
7
ladystarkitten Mar 27, 2026 +7
I would like them to release the four-hour cut, statement.
7
Speak_To_Wuk_Lamat Mar 27, 2026 +5
I havent seen it yet, but if its anything like the book I would happily watch a 4hr cut.
5
MrSnrub_92 Mar 27, 2026 +12
Lawrence of Arabia could never be made today. People don’t have the attention spans for it.
12
Building Mar 27, 2026 +8
Major blockbuster movies are longer on average today than they have ever been though.
8
AtFishCat Mar 28, 2026 +2
My parents brought me to see Gettysburg in the theater. That was insane. I think I spent a good chunk in the middle in the arcade.
2
parkchanwookiee Mar 27, 2026 +1
They also aren't down with blackface lol
1
Harvey_Rabbit Mar 27, 2026 +3
Paul Sheer mentioned seeing a longer cut on his podcast, but he didn't say it was that long.
3
JacobLemongrass Mar 28, 2026 +3
It certainly did not feel like it was over 150 minutes. I could’ve easily watched a 4 hour cut.
3
QQBearsHijacker Mar 28, 2026 +3
I need this directors’ cut
3
CranDrescher Mar 28, 2026 +5
I would watch a four hour cut for sure
5
2401PenitentTangentx Mar 27, 2026 +8
After listening to the audiobook movie definitely felt condensed. Felt like we didn't get any character development from Rocky. He was just stone Groot basically. He had so much more personality in the book. I would've liked to see it as like a 6-8 part mini series. Still loved the movie tho 
8
yaaanR Mar 27, 2026 +4
Heh? Stone Groot? I watched a different movie than you. Maybe a bit less developed, but movie Rocky had huge personality and character development. I dug him.
4
DianneNettix Mar 27, 2026 +6
If you buy the weed and the snacks I'll watch it.
6
Jonny-Raze Mar 27, 2026 +4
Weed? Give me LSD. I’m joking of course… but am I?
4
hypo11 Mar 27, 2026 +2
Would be amaze amaze amaze during the scene >!where Grace is capturing the Astrophage sample over Adrian and then they switch to the infrared camera!<
2
Jonny-Raze Mar 27, 2026 +2
F*** yes!
2
DianneNettix Mar 27, 2026 +1
Hey, we all have our preferences. No judgment. For me hallucinogins need something like *Heavy Metal.*
1
Jonny-Raze Mar 27, 2026 +1
Yes... they definitely are. But I cannot confirm or deny if I partook in any hallucinogens or psychedelics during my bachelor's days in college. I know my friends had a great time, though, tripping out to Pink Floyd albums nonstop. Yup... good times ;)
1
TheItchyWalrus Mar 27, 2026 +2
I can understand why Dimitri was cut but…*sad Russian noises*…the movie adaptation was fantastic all the same! Starting off the year hot.
2
CreedIsJoker Mar 27, 2026 +2
I’m in for the 4 hour! Release the director’s cut!
2
TastyYogurtDrink Mar 28, 2026 +2
I would absolutely watch the 4 hour cut. 
2
GeminiLife Mar 28, 2026 +2
My cousin read the book and loved the film. Said most of what they cut was the trial and error of the science stuff. Which is honestly fine, because while the science is the background of the story, it's really a story of friendship and perseverance.
2
CheapWeight8403 Mar 28, 2026 +2
I loved the movie, I would be willing to watch the 4 hour version. I hope it's on the Blu-Ray. We never see new movies in theaters. We may see this a second time.
2
Skol_City Mar 28, 2026 +2
It was still too long
2
Majestic_Amount_7830 Mar 28, 2026 +2
I watched it today and I thought it felt like there were scenes that had been edited down to shorten the time. I hope we get a UHD or BluRay full length directors cut some day.
2
Inglehoodie Mar 28, 2026 +3
and i’d have watched it.
3
Invader_Skooge22 Mar 27, 2026 +2
4 is too long. Not because the content but because the chairs have to be comfortable enough to sit in for 4 hours. Either they aren’t, and you’re just pissed you have to sit in pain for 4 hours or they are comfy and you sit in the dark for 4 hours in a comfy chair and try to stay awake. 4 hour releases should be straight to streaming or special events for theaters
2
corp_code_slinger Mar 27, 2026 +3
Four hours is a lot to ask of an audience, especially for this kind of flick. Heck, even though it was one of the best book adaptations I've seen 2 hours and 36 minutes was still a lot to ask. My wife hadn't read the book but was still up for it (because we're both sci-fi nerds) and she commented that it was kind of long. I'll say also that getting a good book adaptation is rare, but now having seen it I'm not sure that's necessarily what I want anymore. I knew all the beats, there were no real surprises (even with a couple of minor deviations). At that point if I've read the book why bother? I enjoyed it, but I can't imagine a four version.
3
NoGoodAtPickingAName Mar 27, 2026 +1
Just returned from the theater after seeing this movie and I thought it was a little long but I didn’t fall asleep once which few movies can do for me. I’m old and I just go for the popcorn.
1
akoaytao1234 Mar 27, 2026 +1
Directors should listen to some advice. Definitely listen when they say it is too long. The final film is overlong to begin with and that is like half of the original length it seems.
1
Speak_To_Wuk_Lamat Mar 27, 2026 +3
Or just release 2 versions since they apparently both exist.
3
akoaytao1234 Mar 27, 2026 +1
Save it for the bluray (or streaming I guess). I wonder how elaborate is that?
1
LastTorgoInParis Mar 28, 2026 +2
I wish assembly cuts were always available upon home release. They've already got it and I'll gladly double dip for it in alot of cases
2
mormonbatman_ Mar 27, 2026 +1
6 episode series = too short 4 hour movie = too long Raise me up, Boethius. I am ready.
1
pr1ncess_k1ng Mar 27, 2026 +1
I really wanted to like the movie, but just how condensed it was, and making it a lot more goofy for general audiences vs the audience of the book, really disappointed me :/
1
Comprehensive-Fun47 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Good job trimming it. I would watch the four-hour version though! Release the director's cut!
1
theangrypragmatist Mar 28, 2026 +1
I'm just hearing that scene from Sports Night with Jeremy's first highlight reel.
1
LezBreal87 Mar 28, 2026 +1
Let movies be what they are with intermissions… I would rather see a book > movie adaptation honor the text than bastardizing it
1
ChrisV88 Mar 28, 2026 +1
I read the book, and as much as I love the fact that it got a blockbuster movie, I do feel like a mini series would have probably served the story better.
1
Even_Worker_8842 Mar 28, 2026 +1
It could have been even shorter.
1
gannerhorn Mar 28, 2026 +1
I hope they release that version. I would definitely watch it without stopping.
1
S3xyhom3d3pot Mar 28, 2026 +1
Oooo I hope that means there's a directors cut coming. Those are endangered these days
1
SelfishSilverFish Mar 28, 2026 +1
I read the book. The movie was awesome. Anything rhat was skipped or not dwlved into was totally worth skipping in the movie. Incredible adaptation and incredible book. Happy with everything
1
charleyhstl Mar 28, 2026 +1
Was it Continental Studios?
1
nomhak Mar 28, 2026 +1
Give me the 4 hour cut. Hell. I’ll take 3. Every scene lasted on screen for 2-4 seconds. It was nauseating and felt edited for the TikTok generation. The book didn’t go into deep science but they shortcutted a f*** ton and skipped some pretty cool shit. Overall still a decent flick, but I had to go home and watch interstellar after to get my fix.
1
InsomniaticWanderer Mar 28, 2026 +1
Release the extended cut! It is time go!
1
rlaw1234qq Mar 28, 2026 +1
Hope they release a 4K extended version!
1
HolyJuan Mar 28, 2026 +1
Can we get a non-slapstick version?
1
smandroid Mar 28, 2026 +1
Could be cut into a 2 parter. Part 1 is everything that gets Grace to Tau Ceti and ends just as he meets Rocky. Part 2 is everything from meeting Rocky to the end.
1
ArchdruidHalsin Mar 28, 2026 +1
I wish it had been a miniseries, frankly
1
fr33climb Mar 28, 2026 +2
Just got out and I haven't been this happy after leaving the theater in a long time. Such a great movie.
2
TubaTacoma Mar 28, 2026 +2
I appreciate that they cut it short rather than split it into two movies to milk the cash. I'm sure a directors cut release will be popular 
2
devilsbard Mar 28, 2026 +2
I want the 4 hour cut. Give me all the sciency exposition!
2
No-Restaurant-8963 Mar 28, 2026 +1
why didnt they make 2 versions? and is this movie really that good?
1
NickCrowder Mar 28, 2026 +1
I could have told them that without even watching it
1
zeroshock30 Mar 28, 2026 +1
I need the 4 hour cut
1
DanielSFX Mar 27, 2026
No business even making a 4 hour cut. That’s just a lack of common sense.
0
devingr33n Mar 28, 2026
Not to be pedantic but yes it’s called an assembly cut and it’s part of your run of the mill editing process
0
joeschmoagogo Mar 27, 2026 -3
It’s still too long IMO. This could have been a really tight and near-perfect movie if it was 30-45 mins shorter.
-3
hughtawdry Mar 28, 2026 -1
After the 4th ending I checked out and started naming my Sour Patch Kids.
-1
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