Thoughts on a Nemesis Extended Edition?

[AdmiralScreed]

I've read online that close to an hour of footage was cut from Nemesis. Not for artistic reasons, but because the studios wanted a shorter film and because the director Stuart Baird wanted a faster paced and more action packed film. Some of the deleted footage (about 15 minutes of it) was included on the DVD and Blu Ray releases, and after watching it I am really disappointed that it was cut from the film. These small and seemingly insignificant character moments would have really humanized the movie and given it more heart and soul. The ending with Picard and his new first officer, in particular, would have been a perfect way to end the movie and the TNG series, with some much needed humor and some optimism.
For the most part, I felt that all of the deleted scenes I watched would have improved the movie. And when I say "improved" I don't mean cover up for all the plot holes and other inconsistencies. There's no way to make up for that at this point, but I could live with that if it meant that there were more character moments. As the film is right now, it just feels too dark and depressing, and the characters don't feel quite as human as they did in the TV series.
So, the question is, who else would like to see an extended cut of Nemesis? Paramount hasn't announced that they'll be doing this, but it's certainly an entertaining idea, and I'd like to know if other Trek fans feel similarly to me. So, what are your thoughts on an extended cut of Nemesis?

 

[Gojira]

I would have loved it if those scenes were reintroduced into the movie.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I've read online that close to an hour of footage was cut from Nemesis. Not for artistic reasons, but because the studios wanted a shorter film and because the director Stuart Baird wanted a faster paced and more action packed film. Some of the deleted footage (about 15 minutes of it) was included on the DVD and Blu Ray releases, and after watching it I am really disappointed that it was cut from the film.

The whole script of NEM was widely bootlegged and there isn't too much "unseen" footage. The other 45 mins you refer to are probably a series of alternate versions of what was already included, eg. even more dune buggy footage? Note that one Shinzon "bonus scene" on the DVD introduced the character to the audience, even though he gets introduced again, for the "first" time in a scene used in the film.

Stuart Baird has already stated he doesn't want to see the movie recut to "improve" it, so the theatrical edition is the only "director's edition".

The movie desperately needed to Data/Picard toasting scene early in the movie, since it sets up the later sacrifice by Data. And it would have been fun to let Wil Wheaton's line get delivered canonically. (On the non-widescreen version of the US DVD, he's gone completely!) But - ick - that seatbelt joke at the end, with Martin Madden, is excruciatingly bad.

 

[Lucky]

I'd be interested in it. I thought Nemesis was pretty good actually, it is my #2 TNG film after First Contact.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

@ Therin of Andor:

Does Paramount need Baird's permission to put together an extended cut? I sure hope they don't because Nemesis, more than any of the other films, would benefit the most from an extended cut, IMO.
I agree with you about the deleted scene introducing us to Shinzon. It would have spoiled his introduction later on. But as for the rest of the scenes, for the most part I think they would all benefit the movie; the scene with Picard and Data, Picard saying good bye to Crusher, the ending with Picard's new first officer (and I'll admit I thought the seat belt was kind of funny), and even the Troi mind rape scene (it would at least make her a more important character).

 

[Vasquez Rocks]

I would love to see most of those scenes put back into the movie. It really needs those character bits. Patrick Stewart stated in an interview awhile back, that if there ever was a Director's Cut of the movie it would be even shorter than the Theatrical Cut. He suggested an Actor's Cut. I'm not sure if Paramount would need Baird's permission. Usually I'd be against a studio taking a film from a director and changing it, but in Baird's case I wouldn't mind it one bit since he didn't seem to care all that much about it to begin with.

 

[Vulagr]

I would've loved to see a reason why Wesley was there in Starfleet dress blues. But other than that, I don't see the need for an extended version.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

But other than that, I don't see the need for an extended version.

Are you saying that the film doesn't need an extended cut because you like it the way it is, or because you think the film is beyond repair? I'm just curious.
And I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I just don't see how adding in character moments like the toast between Picard and Data can not improve the movie. Nemesis was just so lacking in that area that virtually any intimate moment between the main cast would really improve the film, IMO.

 

[Oso Blanco]

I'd say it desperately needs an extended cut. I'd love to see all the deleted scenes restored, although the early introduction of Shinzon would spoil the story.

 

[BillJ]

I think I'd be against an extended cut. Sometimes, something is just beyond repair and I think Nemesis falls in that category.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Does Paramount need Baird's permission to put together an extended cut? I sure hope they don't

No, but they certainly couldn't call it a "Director's Cut", and it's doubtful ST fans and the general public would buy another DVD version of a film they hated so much the first time. Most would say they've already bought one/two/three editions already.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I would've loved to see a reason why Wesley was there in Starfleet dress blues.

Have you read the "A Time..." series of novels? He's a Traveler, remember, so he turns up naked for what he assumes was a traditional Betazoid wedding ceremony. A hasty rethink was required. (And the novelization of NEM says that Wes has signed aboard Titan.)

Former Starfleet officers who are on the head table at a Starfleet wedding would probably be allowed to wear uniform anyway. Aren't former military today permitted to wear their old uniform at special functions?

 

[AdmiralScreed]

Does Paramount need Baird's permission to put together an extended cut? I sure hope they don't

No, but they certainly couldn't call it a "Director's Cut", and it's doubtful ST fans and the general public would buy another DVD version of a film they hated so much the first time. Most would say they've already bought one/two/three editions already.

They wouldn't have to label it as a Director's Cut. Special Edition or Extended Cut would be fine. And speaking for myself, I have only purchased Nemesis one time, so I'd have no issues with buying a new version if it's significantly better than the original.

 

[Vulagr]

But other than that, I don't see the need for an extended version.

Are you saying that the film doesn't need an extended cut because you like it the way it is, or because you think the film is beyond repair? I'm just curious.
And I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I just don't see how adding in character moments like the toast between Picard and Data can not improve the movie. Nemesis was just so lacking in that area that virtually any intimate moment between the main cast would really improve the film, IMO.

I think it's fine the way it is.

I just don't see how that would improve the movie. They really wouldn't add anything to the movie, and run the risk of adding more flaws to it.

 

[Harvey]

Adding more character scenes to Star Trek: Nemesis certainly wouldn't hurt the movie, but it wouldn't fix the greater problems of it, either. Logan's screenplay is a mess, Baird's direction is at best unexceptional, and not even a master editor could solve those problems in the editing bay.

Still, much like the "Director's Edition" of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, such a version would probably be interesting to watch, and superior to the messy theatrical version. I'd pick it up on Blu-Ray if it were cheap, or in the very least, rent it.

 

[The Dominion]

As long as they keep Wes out of it, I think it would be interesting to see.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

As long as they keep Wes out of it, I think it would be interesting to see.

Agreed. Not that I disliked Wesley, but it just didn't make a lot of sense for him to be there because he left with the Traveler. Also, why was he in a Starfleet uniform and stationed on a Federation ship? He quit Starfleet in Season 7.
The answer to this question and many more is sloppy writing, unfortunately.

 

[RAMA]

Does Paramount need Baird's permission to put together an extended cut? I sure hope they don't

No, but they certainly couldn't call it a "Director's Cut", and it's doubtful ST fans and the general public would buy another DVD version of a film they hated so much the first time. Most would say they've already bought one/two/three editions already.

It actually did well in dvd for a ST movie, selling over 2 million copies.

 

[AdmiralScreed]

Does Paramount need Baird's permission to put together an extended cut? I sure hope they don't

No, but they certainly couldn't call it a "Director's Cut", and it's doubtful ST fans and the general public would buy another DVD version of a film they hated so much the first time. Most would say they've already bought one/two/three editions already.

It actually did well in dvd for a ST movie, selling over 2 million copies.

Ehhh...I don't think this film would do too well if it were sold on its own today, even with extended footage, but if you packaged it with the other TNG films and rereleased them on blu ray I'm sure it would sell without a problem. To give fans extra incentive to upgrade to a new set, they could always re-edit the deleted footage with Quark and Rom back into Insurrection. I'm sure that Frakes would be happy to supervise a director's cut for INS, although that's an entirely different topic.
The ideal time to release a new TNG movie set would be either to coincide with Season 1 of TNG on blu ray or to coincide with the next new ST film.

 

[Therin of Andor]

they could always re-edit the deleted footage with Quark and Rom back into Insurrection.

OMG no, that was embarrassing! (And it only featured Quark. The actor who played Rom was already in INS, playing the Bajoran crewman who gets involved in the wads-of-paper scene with Troi and Riker in the ship's library. The same icky scene where the stereotypical librarian shushes them.)


Quark on the Ba'ku planet by Therin of Andor, on Flickr