Donnie Darko Rides Again

Fans of the film that brought Jake Gyllenhaal to the big time (and let's face it, who isn't?) can begin quivering with excitement right now because the superb Donnie Darko is returning to our screens as a fully-fledged director's cut. Having passed largely unseen though US cinemas back in 2001 (after making only $517,375), writer/director Richard Kelly's cult debut built a following on DVD before receiving a far rosier reception on British screens. Three years on and the film will finally get a second chance at the US box office in a form more closely resembling Kelly's original vision. The Donnie Darko Director's Cut will boast 21 minutes of extra footage, a re-mastered print, a new sound mix and enhanced visual effects - essentially everything the director would have included originally if he'd had the time and money at his disposal. "It's just a way for me to expand my vision for the film and give a more thorough version of it," he told Empire. "Ultimately I found it impossible to fully communicate the story in under two hours but now I don't have a restriction on running time, hopefully audiences will be able to re-experience the film in a completely new way." 'But we've seen all the extra scenes on the DVD', you say. Ah, that's where you're wrong, wily soul that he is, Kelly kept back some of the best footage and will be introducing them in his new cut of the film. Naturally excited at the prospect of the film's reincarnation, Empire gave Kelly a call in LA to get the full scoop. To read the full details of the new Donnie Darko release and hear the thinking behind it, click here.