The critics adored it (we liked it too), the box office ignored it, and now further dissenting voices are emerging about Blade Runner 2049.

Speaking to Screen Daily to promote his new memoir Blade Runners, Deer Hunters and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, Michael Deeley – producer of the original Blade Runner movie – expressed serious reservations about the long-awaited sequel's runtime.

"The picture is very long. It must have been cut-able and should have been," he said.

"They can't do better [box office] because they can't play it more than three times a day because it's just too long, which is of course self-indulgent at the very least, arrogant probably. It's criminal."

The original international theatrical cut of Blade Runner ran to a modest 117 minutes, while Blade Runner 2049 runs to a hefty 163.

Deeley had the rights to a sequel or remake of Blade Runner for a decade after its release, but when the film first came out it wasn't a commercial success.

"The film didn't catch fire for 10 years so I couldn't have made a remake or another version of it and I wouldn't have wanted to anyway," he said.

Apparently Deeley hasn't actually seen Blade Runner 2049 yet ("I'm not looking forward to seeing it, but I will"), though he's right it's quite the marathon.

He might have dodged a bullet though. A recent interview with Blade Runner 2049's editor revealed that the first assembly (an early rough cut) ran to four hours and had an interval in the middle.

Blade Runner 2049 is still in cinemas. Pre-order the DVD here.

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