Fanedits have become a fascinating subculture within the film community. These reimagined versions of beloved films showcase the creativity of fans who seek to alter, enhance, or correct the original movies. Whether motivated by a desire to improve narrative flow, enhance character development, or simply offer a fresh perspective, fanedits breathe new life into existing works. Here, we explore some of the most famous fanedits that have captured the imagination of movie lovers.
One of the most well-known fanedits, The Phantom Edit, was created by Mike J. Nichols (aka The Phantom Editor). This edit reworks Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, aiming to improve its pacing and reduce elements that fans found problematic, such as Jar Jar Binks' screen time. The Phantom Edit became a sensation, leading to widespread discussion about fanedits and their place in film culture.
The Hobbit: The Tolkien Edit, crafted by fan editor TolkienEditor, seeks to bring Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy closer to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original vision. This fanedit addresses criticisms of the theatrical releases, such as their extended runtime and deviations from the source material, by reworking the trilogy into a more streamlined narrative.
TolkienEditor focused on condensing the trilogy to better align with the core elements of Tolkien's novel. The edit trims excess subplots and action sequences not present in the book, aiming to enhance pacing and coherence while staying true to the spirit of the original story. By removing or minimizing elements introduced in Jackson’s films, the Tolkien Edit offers a version that reflects the novel’s tone and narrative more faithfully.
This fanedit has been positively received by fans who felt Jackson’s adaptations diverged too far from Tolkien’s work. The Tolkien Edit showcases the creativity and dedication of the fan editing community, providing a fresh perspective on The Hobbit that honors its literary roots.
Artificial Intelligence: The Kubrick Edit, crafted by fan editor DJ Hupp, reimagines Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence to reflect what some fans believe would have been Stanley Kubrick's vision. Originally attached to the project before Spielberg took over, Kubrick's influence is seen as a darker, more ambiguous take on the story.
DJ Hupp's fanedit emphasizes a moodier tone and introduces changes to the film's structure and pacing, aligning the edit more closely with Kubrick's signature filmmaking style. By reworking scenes and adjusting the narrative flow, the Kubrick Edit aims to evoke the philosophical and existential themes that Kubrick was known for, offering a distinct reinterpretation of the film that contrasts sharply with Spielberg's original approach. This edit showcases Hupp's dedication to honoring Kubrick’s legacy while providing a fresh perspective on A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
Actor Topher Grace has ventured into fan editing with his own takes on popular films. His most famous work is a re-edit of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, condensing the three movies into a single, more streamlined film. Grace's edit aims to focus on the essential story elements and character arcs, removing what he considered unnecessary or distracting subplots.
Renowned filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has created several notable fanedits, including a black-and-white version of Raiders of the Lost Ark and a mashup of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake. Soderbergh's edits often explore alternative storytelling techniques and visual styles, offering a fresh perspective on classic films.
Bateman Begins is a clever mashup of American Psycho and Batman Begins, created by fan editor Adabisi. The edit explores the intriguing parallels between Christian Bale's characters in both films, imagining a narrative where Patrick Bateman evolves into Bruce Wayne.
Adabisi’s fanedit blends scenes from both movies to craft a darkly humorous and inventive story that reinterprets Batman's origins. By merging elements of American Psycho's chilling psychological drama with Batman Begins' superhero origins, Bateman Begins offers a unique and engaging take on the Batman mythos. The edit highlights Adabisi’s creativity and skill in seamlessly integrating these distinct films into a cohesive and entertaining narrative.
Star War: The Third Gathers – The Backstroke of the West is a fanedit known for its hilarious mistranslations, created by fan editor GratefulDeadpool. This unique project takes Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and overlays it with subtitles derived from a poorly translated Chinese bootleg version. The result is a comedic reimagining of the film, filled with bizarre and amusing dialogue that has garnered a cult following. GratefulDeadpool's edit has become a beloved example of how fan creativity can transform a film into something entirely new and entertaining.
The War of the Stars by TMBTM is a fanedit that reimagines the original Star Wars trilogy as a grindhouse-style film. This version adds new visual effects, a grainy film texture, and a darker, more violent tone. It's a unique take on the saga, offering a gritty and retro interpretation of George Lucas's iconic space opera.
Star Wars: Despecialized Edition is one of the most famous fanedits, created by Petr Harmáček (Harmy). This edit aims to restore the original trilogy as closely as possible to its 1977, 1980, and 1983 theatrical releases. Using high-definition sources and meticulous restoration techniques, Harmy removed the changes made in the Special Editions and subsequent releases.
In addition to Despecialized Edition, Harmy also produced Star Wars: Despecialized Edition - The Complete Saga, which further refines and compiles the trilogy for an even more comprehensive viewing experience. Another notable work is Star Wars: Despecialized Edition - The Original Trilogy, focusing on preserving the unique qualities of each individual film while maintaining the trilogy's integrity. These fanedits have been widely praised for their high quality and attention to detail, allowing fans to experience Star Wars as it was originally seen in theaters. Harmy's work is a labor of love that showcases the dedication and passion of the fan editing community.
Adywan's Star Wars Revisited is another acclaimed fanedit of the original trilogy. Adywan not only removes the controversial changes from the Special Editions but also enhances the films with new special effects, improved audio, and color correction. His edits aim to create the definitive version of the Star Wars trilogy, blending the best elements of the original and Special Editions.
Raising Cain is a reimagined version of Brian De Palma's 1992 psychological thriller Raising Cain, starring John Lithgow in a dual role. The original film was noted for its complex narrative structure and Hitchcockian suspense but faced criticism for its disjointed storyline. This fanedit, created by Peet Gelderblom, reorders the scenes to follow a more linear narrative, thus enhancing clarity and character development. It also trims some of the more over-the-top elements, focusing on the psychological tension and Lithgow's compelling performance. Fans and critics alike have praised Rising Cain for transforming the original into a more cohesive and gripping thriller. Gelderblom's version was so well-received that it was officially released on Blu-ray, a rare achievement for a fanedit.
David Lynch's 1984 adaptation of Dune is infamous for its troubled production and mixed reception. Fans of the book were often disappointed by the film's incoherent plot and deviations from the source material. Spicediver's Dune addresses these issues by combining footage from the theatrical release, the extended television cut, and deleted scenes to create a more faithful and comprehensive version of the film. This fanedit runs over three hours and meticulously restores subplots and characters, offering a richer, more complete version of Lynch's vision. Spicediver's Dune has gained official recognition with a Blu-ray release, highlighting its significant impact on the Dune fandom.
Robots vs Kung Fu is a unique mashup that combines the best elements of classic martial arts films and futuristic robot battles. Created by the fan editor MatrixGrindhouse, this project takes footage from various sci-fi and kung fu movies, blending them into a cohesive and entertaining narrative. The fanedit emphasizes action and spectacle, seamlessly integrating scenes to create epic battles between martial artists and robotic foes. It's a celebration of genre cinema, showcasing the creativity and technical skill of the fan editing community. While not based on a single original film, Robots vs Kung Fu exemplifies the imaginative potential of fan edits.
Richard Williams' The Thief and the Cobbler is a legendary animated film with a troubled production history spanning nearly three decades. Due to production issues and studio interference, the original vision was never fully realized, resulting in multiple incomplete and heavily altered versions.
The Recobbled Cut, spearheaded by Garrett Gilchrist, aims to restore Williams' original vision. Using available footage, storyboards, and unfinished animation, Gilchrist painstakingly reconstructed the film. The Recobbled Cut is celebrated for its dedication to preserving Williams' ambitious and visually stunning project, offering viewers a glimpse of what could have been.
Ridley Scott's Prometheus (2012) received mixed reactions upon its release, with some fans and critics praising its ambition while others criticized its plot holes and character decisions. Prometheus: Giftbearer, a fanedit by Severian, aims to address these issues.
The edit restructures the narrative, adds deleted scenes, and trims redundant or confusing elements. The result is a more streamlined and coherent story that enhances character motivations and ties more directly into the Alien franchise. Prometheus: Giftbearer has been praised for making the film more engaging and satisfying.
Pulp Empire is a mashup that combines two beloved franchises: Star Wars and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Created by fan editor NJVC, this unique fanedit reimagines the Star Wars saga with the style, dialogue, and music of Tarantino's iconic film.
The result is a witty and irreverent take on the classic space opera, featuring memorable Tarantino lines delivered by iconic Star Wars characters. Pulp Empire is a testament to the playful and innovative spirit of fan edits, offering a fresh and entertaining twist on familiar stories.
Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction is renowned for its non-linear narrative, which weaves multiple storylines together in a unique and compelling way. However, some fans have wondered what the film would look like if told in chronological order. The Pulp Fiction Chronological Edit, created by fan editor nAsA, answers that question.
This fanedit rearranges the scenes to follow a linear timeline, providing a different perspective on the film's events and characters. While it lacks the original's structural ingenuity, the chronological cut offers an interesting alternative that highlights the cause-and-effect relationships between the stories, giving viewers a new way to experience Tarantino's classic film.
The Last Jedi: Re-Edit by Ivan Ortega sparked considerable discussion within the fan editing community. Ortega's edit aimed to address perceived issues in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi by refining the film’s pacing, improving coherence, and aligning it more closely with fan expectations. He promised to enhance the film's narrative and character arcs, delivering a version that resonates better with his audience.
However, the fanedit has been controversial. Ortega's decision to seek financial contributions, including for a live-action fight scene between Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker that was never finished or released, has sparked debate. This move contrasts with the fan community’s preference for non-commercial edits, which are typically driven by passion and a desire to share work freely. Critics argue that asking for money undermines the spirit of fan editing, especially as some fans feel that Ortega’s final edit fell short of his promises, leading to dissatisfaction with the results. This controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the creative ambitions of fan editors and the norms around the distribution and funding of fan-driven projects.
Star Wars: Ascendant by HAL9000 is an ambitious fanedit of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This edit aims to enhance the film's narrative coherence and emotional impact by incorporating newly created VFX scenes, re-editing key sequences, and making subtle changes to character arcs. The Ascendant Cut strives to provide a more satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga, offering fans a refined and engaging experience of the final chapter. While HAL9000 was the lead on this project, it was a collaborative effort involving over 200 contributors who worked on it during the COVID-19 lockdowns, showcasing a remarkable community effort.
Kenobi: A Star Wars Fanedit by Kai Patterson became a viral sensation within the fan editing community for its innovative reimagining of the Disney Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi TV Series. This fanedit focuses on reworking the narrative to highlight Obi-Wan Kenobi's character, aiming to deliver a more cohesive and impactful story centered around him. By restructuring scenes, clarifying Obi-Wan's character arc, and removing or downplaying distracting subplots, Patterson’s edit refines the storytelling and enhances pacing and character development.
The success of Kenobi: A Star Wars Fanedit has resonated widely with fans seeking a more focused portrayal of one of Star Wars' most iconic characters. Its viral popularity highlights the creativity and passion within the fan editing community, demonstrating how fan-driven projects can offer refreshing new perspectives on beloved franchises.
Fanedits represent a vibrant and creative aspect of film fandom, allowing enthusiasts to reimagine and reshape beloved movies. These edits—ranging from reordering scenes for clarity to blending elements from different genres—showcase the limitless possibilities of storytelling. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers, epic sci-fi, or animated classics, there's a fanedit out there that offers a fresh and exciting take on your favorite films. By exploring these innovative projects, you can experience your favorite stories in new and unexpected ways, celebrating the passion and ingenuity of the fan editing community.