James Gray Says ‘Ad Astra’ Was ‘Taken Away’ From Him and Made Longer by 20th Century Fox: ‘It Would Have Been a Very Different Movie’
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- James Gray said the released version of his 2019 sci‑fi film “Ad Astra” was taken away from him and is not his cut.
- 20th Century Fox added roughly 12 minutes to “Ad Astra” after poor test screenings and extensive reshoots.
- Disney bought 20th Century Fox while “Ad Astra” was in post‑production, further limiting Gray’s input.
- Ad Astra cost $80 million, while his Cannes film “Paper Tiger” was made for $15 million and gave him full creative control.
- James Gray hopes to someday release a shorter director’s cut of “Ad Astra,” which would be 12 minutes shorter than the theatrical version.
Why it matters: Gray loses creative control over a $80 million blockbuster, while Disney/Fox gains a longer version; a future director’s cut could reshape audience perception and boost ancillary sales.
