Reagan Biopic Returns with New Scenes

The “Reagan” biopic, featuring Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan, is set for a theatrical return with additional scenes. The release coincides with America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

According to Deadline, there are plans for both limited screenings on July 4 in over a dozen cities and a broader release in September, targeting 600 theaters. The new version includes an extra 10 minutes of footage not present in the original showings.

The extra scenes feature moments between Reagan and his wife Nancy (played by Penelope Ann Miller) in the Oval Office, a scene with Reagan’s alcoholic father, Jack, and moments at the Reagans’ ranch near Santa Barbara.

In its first run, the film grossed over $30 million globally, as reported by Box Office Mojo.

Director Sean McNamara spoke about the extended cut, noting, “One of the hardest things about directing a feature film is leaving behind incredible moments on the cutting room floor. I’m so happy to have some of my favorite scenes back in the film for audiences to experience them for the first time.”

The screenplay for “Reagan” drew from author Paul Kengor’s books. He noted the vast difference in the Rotten Tomatoes scores, where the critics’ score stands at 17%, contrasting with the audience score of 98%. He compared this to Reagan’s sweeping win in the 1980 presidential elections.

A reviewer from The Boston Globe described the biopic as “an interminable hagiography” and “a wretched 2½-hour bore that’s uncurious about its subject.” Critics from other outlets also panned the film. The Washington Post deemed it “worthless” as historical documentation, while The Daily Beast labeled it the worst film of the year.

Despite critical reviews, Kengor emphasized the strong audience reception, likening it to the 1980 presidential election win, where Reagan triumphed over President Jimmy Carter. He stated, “In fact, it reminds me of what happened in 1984 when Ronald Reagan won 49 out of 50 states.”

The release added new depth to the narrative of Reagan’s political rise, intertwined with personal aspects captured in the extra scenes.