Sony backtracks on 'Clean Version' plan following complaints from Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow, and Adam McKay

'We believed we had obtained approvals from the filmmakers involved'

Last week, news emerged that Sony has started a ‘Clean Version’ initiate, essentially releasing edited versions of films that remove violence, sexuality, and profanity.

While the clean versions are only purchasable with the original cut, filmmakers have been angered by Sony, including Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow, and Adam McKay, along with the Directors Guild of America (DGA).

Following the outcry, Sony has since backed down, divisions president Man Jit Singh releasing a statement saying those unhappy can have the clean versions removed.

“Our directors are of paramount importance to us and we want to respect those relationships to the utmost,” he said, via Deadline.

“We believed we had obtained approvals from the filmmakers involved for use of their previously supervised television versions as a value added extra on sales of the full version. But if any of them are unhappy or have reconsidered, we will discontinue it for their films.”

The DGA has since responded with their own statement, saying: “While we’re pleased that Sony is acknowledging its mistakes in this area, the DGA has notified Sony that it expects the immediate removal of all ‘clean’ versions of the affected films from availability until Sony secures permission from each and every director, and provides them with an opportunity to edit a version for release in new media – consistent with the DGA Agreement and the directors’ individual contracts.

These are hard-fought-for rights that protect a director’s work and vision, and are at the very heart of our craft and a thriving film industry. As we have throughout our history, we are committed to fighting the unauthorised editing of films.”

Rogen last week Tweeted “Holy shit, please don’t do this to our movies,” with Apatow echoing his concern, writing on social media: “This is absolute bullshit and Sony and Sony Pictures is gonna get hell for F**KING with our movies. Shove the clean versions up your asses!”

A representative for McKay — who helmed two affected films, Step Brothers and Talladega Nights — said the director was had only just become aware of the clean versions “would not have agreed to this.” The clean version of his Step Brothers excludes 152 uses of bad language, 91 instances of sexual content, and 22 of violence.

The first 24 releases included in the scheme were: 50 First Dates, Battle Of The Year. Big Daddy. Captain Phillips, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Easy A, Elysium, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Goosebumps, Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2, Hancock, Inferno, Moneyball, Pixels, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Step Brothers, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and White House Down.

The move was previously reported to have something to do with combating third-party services like ClearPlay and VidAngel, who have already been providing unauthorised edits of films to consumers and have faced numerous legal battles in the process.