28 Days Later gets alternative ending


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The news is a little old, but begins taking effect today on all prints currently in theaters.

HOLLYWOOD - In an unusual marketing move to pump up the buzz surrounding its horror hit "28 Days Later," Fox Searchlight will attach the film's original, rather downbeat ending to all 1,400 prints now playing in theaters.

Although outtakes, filmmaker narration and alternate endings have become an expected part of DVD movie packages, Fox Searchlight says it is aware of no other instance in which alternate scenes were added to a film still in theatrical release.

The ending now in theaters was actually the film's original scripted ending, but was ditched by screenwriter Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle during production in favor of a darker coda. That grim ending was included in the first cut of the film and tested with preview audiences. But Boyle and his filmmaking team ultimately rejected the scene, set in a hospital, as simply too bleak.

"We felt we can't do this to people. Because it was such a tough journey anyway," Boyle said. The filmmakers went back and filmed the more upbeat ending they had originally written, which tested much better and is now the film's final scene.

The darker ending, which already appears as a feature on the British DVD of the film, will appear beginning July 25 at the conclusion of the credits. Otherwise, projectionists would have to splice in the four minutes of footage or Searchlight would have had to strike new prints.

Searchlight contemplated re-releasing two versions of the film -- one with the upbeat ending, the other with the downer conclusion. But Motion Picture Association of America rules prevent two versions of the same film from playing at the same time.

Since its debut June 27, "28 Days Later" has been a critical and commercial hit, grossing nearly $30 million.

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That's rulke about two versions of the same film playing seems kinda dumb. I wonder what the reasoning behind that is.

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it's not really two versions of the film...just two endings. a bunch of movies have done that. they just play the movie regularly, and then after the credits show the alternate version. They just figured that, since it was probably a popular extra feature on the DVD, they would include it in the theaters to attract more movie-goers.

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yeah i heard about this the other day.. i already saw the movie in theaters, so i doubt i will pay to go see it again... i plan on buying the dvd so hopefully the alternate ending will be on there as well

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I can try and rip it from the DVD, but cant host ... any offers?

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Thats kind of a bitch to people who have already seen the film before the US release with the new ending. Greedy film ******s, they take our $14 dollars for 2 tix to a movie, now they want us to pay $14 more to see the same movie again.

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this movie was so boring, i don't think the new ending helps :p

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think your's is in the minority... "grossing nearly $30 million."

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the movie was NOT boring, one of the best movies in a long time

the alternate ending isn't as heppy, and follows the original book better

they are doing this cuz it turned out to be a hit despite all the big name ****e in the theaters now

giving it a second run to attract more people

great marketing for a great film

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I can't wait to see it and now with the alternative ending I want to see it even more. Sorry for those of you who already went to it. Catch it at matinee prices or something. ;)

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Six times huh...I don't know if any movie is worth paying full theatre prices to see it that many times. Where I live there is this family people call the Star Wars family and they go to Star Wars every night that it is here at our theatre. They have done it for both Episode 1 & 2. Very dedicated. I should work at the theatre again...then maybe I would go to the movies six times....for free.

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Luckily i downloaded the movie cause a freind of mind kept saying it was crap.

Well, it wasnt, I thought it was such an aweoms movi. + I love zombie flicks. Even though this thechnically isnt a zombie flick but still. anyways back to the topic, um....

yeah the quality of the dl was crap, so im definately going to go see in in theatres... maybe tonight even. ^-^

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