It has never been a secret that Denis Villeneuve had a four-hour cut of "Blade Runner 2049" [IndieWire ] and the director's claim that it was “pretty strong.” However, he has admitted that the released 163-minute theatrical version was still the better movie.

Editor Joe Walker,  speaking to Collider as to what he left in and took out, gave us more details about the process. He mentions that he was ordered not to cut any of Cinematographer Roger Deakins' amazing shots.