In a few months, everyone will be breaking the first (and second) rule of Fight Club. David Fincher’s masterpiece of masculine identity is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a theatrical re-release, a new 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray, and a companion art book featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content that will undoubtedly become a must-have for fans of the iconic 1999 neo-noir film.
After a suspenseful and vaguely ominous lead-up via the Instagram account @fightclubinsight, New Regency and 20th Century Studios have officially announced their plans for Fight Club‘s 25th anniversary, which occurred just over a week ago on October 15th. Fincher himself will be carefully supervising a remastered 4k Ultra HD edition of the beloved film, while a theatrical re-release has been planned with additional details forthcoming. However, the proverbial cherry on top will be the companion art book, which is described in the official release announcement as “a collector’s piece…includ[ing] new interviews, unearthed visuals, original artwork, and rare behind-the-scenes material, offering fans the deepest look yet into the making of the film and its enduring legacy.” Although an official release date for the remastered 4k disc and art book has not yet been released, it’s unlikely to occur before the end of the year.
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David Fincher hasn’t revisited his iconic film, Fight Club, and doesn’t plan to.
Fight Club performed poorly at the box office upon its original release in 1999, but has since become one of the most iconic cult classics in film history. Adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel of the same name, the movie stars Edward Norton as a white-collar insomniac and Brad Pitt as an anonymous anarchist. Upon joining forces, however, the two men begin an underground boxing ring that morphs into a makeshift terrorist cell. Despite initially earning divisive reviews, Fight Club has been praised by critics as a bold exploration of identity, masculine disillusionment, and the isolation of consumerism — a message that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Two Decades Later, Fight Club Still Packs a Punch
Only when Fight Club earned a DVD release did it begin to make headway as one of the most iconic movies of all time — and now, 25 years later, it’s hard to imagine that the film was ever a flop. The legacy of Fight Club is fascinatingly multifaceted: it’s an improbable fixture among far-right groups, an anthem of anti-consumerism, and a satire of so-called “traditional” masculinity. The controversy that Fight Club continues to inspire is almost equally impressive, with reactions ranging from criticisms of the film’s supposed glorification of violence to wildly misguided celebrations of Tyler Durden’s behavior and ideals. But regardless of whichever camp you might find yourself agreeing with, Fight Club‘s undisputed ability to spark such a profound range of emotions and discussions is a badge of honor that truly indicates the film’s long-lasting legacy.
While Fincher is personally overseeing the restoration of Fight Club, he’s also preoccupied with a slew of other projects for Netflix. A U.S. spinoff to the South Korean show Squid Game is currently in the works, with Matilda the Musical‘s Dennis Kelly writing the script, and Fincher is also developing a prequel series to Jack Nicholson’s classic Chinatown.