edshitnrun: 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Cut Could Hit Theaters Soon

Saturday, February 19, 2011

'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Cut Could Hit Theaters Soon

Jon M. Chu said to be working on version with new footage that may be released in theaters this month.
By Eric Ditzian

Justin Bieber in "Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount

With a running time of one hour and 45 minutes, Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" packs in 3-D concert footage, home videos, behind-the-scenes looks, interviews with everyone from Snoop Dogg to the pop star's vocal coach and extended, slow-motion shots of the 16-year-old shaking out his famous locks.

Perhaps, however, you didn't get your fill of the kid — perhaps your Bieber Fever rages on. In which case, you might be in luck. New York magazine's Vulture blog reports that Paramount Pictures is making plans for a director's cut of the film, following its $29.5 million opening this past weekend.

Director Jon M. Chu is said to be working on an updated version of the movie, including new live performances, footage of Bieber at the "Never Say Never" premiere and various advance screenings, and potentially scenes shot at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The studio is reportedly waiting for delivery of the re-cut film before deciding if it will be released in theaters late in February or as part of a special DVD.

MTV News' request for comment to Paramount (which, like MTV News, is owned by Viacom) was not returned as of press time.

Box-office grosses for the concert film are likely to decline in the coming weeks, following Bieber fans' initial pilgrimage to multiplexes during opening weekend, and the re-cut film could dramatically boost its B.O. bottom line. If the new version does hit theaters, it will likely be as a 3-D-only release, as the cost of releasing digital prints is significantly less than printing and shipping film prints. A final decision on a release will be made once Chu finishes the cut after returning from international premieres in London and Paris.

Check out everything we've got on "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."

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