Neil Jordan says the 4K restoration of his 1994 ‘Interview with the Vampire’ adds deleted scenes, explains the film’s lack of jump scares and reflects on its original shoot and potential IMAX remake.
Thirty‑plus years after its original release, Neil Jordan’s gothic vampire film Interview with the Vampire, starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, is now available in 4K and on 4K UHD Blu‑ray. The release includes never‑before‑seen deleted scenes and two special features: “Eternal Night and Deadly Light,” in which Jordan and editor Mick Audsley discuss cinematography and gothic romanticism, and “Interview with the Vampire: Creating the World,” in which Jordan and production designer Dante Ferretti explore the film’s sets, locations and costumes.
Jordan told Variety that the restoration allowed the film to be scanned frame by frame, a process he described as “a wonderful opportunity” after previously viewing a degraded 35 mm print. He noted a deleted scene set in a church confessional with Louis, suggesting it may have been cut for length or because the character’s suffering became excessive.
When asked why the film contains no jump scares, Jordan said the studio’s concern about scares was misplaced because vampires cannot be killed in conventional ways; instead, terror must arise from dread, visual language and the characters’ inner turmoil. He emphasized that the film’s horror derives from atmosphere rather than sudden shocks.
Jordan recalled that the original shoot occurred before CGI was prevalent, requiring practical sets such as a burned New Orleans street and extensive location work along the Mississippi. He identified the sequence involving Tom, a prostitute, a coffin and Lestat’s confrontation with Louis as particularly demanding, taking about eight days to film. Regarding a modern remake, he expressed uncertainty about shooting in IMAX 70 mm, noting a preference for 35 mm and the logistical challenges of larger cameras. The interview does not clarify which deleted scenes will appear on the 4K release or whether an IMAX version will ever be pursued.