To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Se7en, director David Fincher oversaw a 4K remaster of the iconic crime thriller. The film, which starred Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey, revolutionized the crime genre upon its 1995 release.
Known for its meticulous craftsmanship, intense pacing, and shockingly graphic crime scenes, Se7en has influenced countless films, from Saw to The Batman.
The remastered version, which boasts a higher-resolution look, premiered on IMAX screens on January 3 and will be available on 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital on January 7. Fincher and his team used AI tools to enhance the visuals and correct issues that were previously unnoticed in earlier scans of the film.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Fincher reflected on the remastering process and shared his thoughts on revisiting the film after three decades, including some insights into the infamous box scene.
Revisiting Se7en After 30 Years
Entertainment Weekly asked Fincher what it was like to return to Se7en after so many years. He explained that, while he was familiar with the content of the film, the restoration process came as a surprise.
Fincher had initially thought that revisiting the film would be straightforward, having already worked on DVD and HD versions of it. However, restoring it from the original 8K negative proved far more challenging than anticipated.
The film had accumulated scratches and other imperfections over the years, requiring extensive restoration work. This process took a couple of months before they could begin the remaster, with Fincher noting that it was more of an archival negative remaster than just a 4K remaster.
The Restoration Process
When asked about his role in overseeing the restoration, Fincher explained how the use of new technology had been revelatory. The team discovered issues that had never been noticed before, such as shots that were out of focus and unrecognizable in previous formats.
After downsampling the 8K scan to 4K, they employed AI to sharpen some of these details and restore the intended clarity. Fincher remarked that the entire process took just over a year, although he admitted that, left to his own devices, he could have spent even more time perfecting it.
The goal was to recapture the essence of the original 1995 print—the contrast, color density, and overall feel of the film. Fincher emphasized that they tried to match the original vision, reflecting the technological and artistic choices made back then.
Changes in the Remaster
Fincher was asked if any adjustments were made to the film that differed from his original vision in 1995. He responded that, while films are shaped by the technological limitations of their time, certain enhancements were made possible by modern tools.
For example, AI was used to correct some shots that were previously out of focus, like one involving Kevin Spacey in the backseat of a police car.
Se7en in 4K (Photo: David Fincher)
Though the shot is still slightly soft, the team was able to make it more legible without altering the core of the scene. Despite these fixes, Fincher emphasized that the aim was always to preserve the original film as it was presented on opening night in 1995, just in a more pristine version.
The Role of AI in the Process
Regarding the role of AI in filmmaking, Fincher shared his thoughts on the evolving technology. He clarified that it’s not a simple matter of being “for or against” AI, but about how it is used. In one instance, they used AI to repair a shot where part of the camera movement had been missed.
The team was able to reconstruct missing data, making the shot less distracting. Fincher stated that powerful tools, when used correctly, can be invaluable in filmmaking, though he expressed frustration with tools that overpromise and underdeliver.
Reflecting on the Original Production
Entertainment Weekly also inquired whether Fincher would change anything about the original production of Se7en if he could go back in time. Fincher replied that the director’s role is to focus on what is essential for the film, given the time and budget constraints.
He admitted that, with hindsight, there are always things one would do differently, but the job at the time was to create the film that matched the vision they had in 1995. The goal, he said, was to restore the film to the pristine version of the first CCE print, not to alter it.
The Prosthetic Head Story
The interview also touched on a popular rumor about a prosthetic head or body of Gwyneth Paltrow that was supposedly made but never used in the film. Fincher debunked the story, calling it entirely “ridiculous.”
Instead of a full prosthetic body, the crew used a shot bag to replicate the weight of Paltrow’s head for the scene in which Morgan Freeman opens the infamous box.
A wig was placed in the bag, and a bit of blood was added to make it look more realistic. Fincher explained that Freeman’s powerful performance rendered the contents of the box unnecessary to reveal, adding that Freeman opened around 16 or 17 versions of the box during filming.
Nine Inch Nails in the Soundtrack
Fincher also spoke about the prominent use of Nine Inch Nails’ music in the film’s opening credits. He revealed that he had been discussing a collaboration with Trent Reznor for years before they worked together on The Social Network.
For Se7en, the team felt that the Flood mix of Nine Inch Nails’ track was the perfect fit for the film’s dark tone. The original opening sequence was different, but it became a last-minute decision to use the track after the team had trouble with other scenes.
The 4K remaster of Se7en will be available in IMAX starting on January 3, followed by its release on 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital on January 7.
