When film directors demand “final edit,” it’s because of the idea of an asshole studio executive. You’ve heard the stories. A filmmaker works tirelessly on their film , but then someone with more authority, and typically less artistic integrity, comes in and demands the filmmaker cut the film. “Make it shorter for more screenings.” “Make it tamer for a better rating.” “Remove that scene so we don’t get in trouble.” Exactly how often this happens, no one knows, but it’s certainly a story people in the movie business hear and tell.

For his new movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery , writer and director Rian Johnson decided to use that persona to his advantage. Here’s how he described his “asshole studio cut” of the film at a recent screening of the film, hosted by Collider

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