Editor Joe Walker on Widows, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune

Editor Joe Walker on Widows, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune
One of the many fantastic films to world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was Widows. Directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave,Shame) and co-written by McQueen and Gillian Flynn, the film is about four women that must execute a heist in order to pay off the debt their deceased husbands incurred. Furthermore, the women have to pull off the heist while both the law and criminals are bearing down around them. Loaded with fantastic performances, Sean Bobbitt’s great cinematography, an exciting score by Hans Zimmer, and a script full of complex characters, Widows is one of those special movies where everything just works. Trust me, you want to see this movie when it opens in theaters November 16th. Widows stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez,Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Garret Dillahunt, Carrie Coon, Jacki Weaver, Jon Bernthal, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Robert Duvall and Liam Neeson.
widows-posterShortly after seeing the film, I got to sit down with editor Joe Walker at the Collider studio at TIFF to talk about the film. During the wide-ranging interview he talked about how he first started working with Steve McQueen, why McQueen hates the word “coverage”, his relationship with directors of photography, how the first cut of Widows compared to the finished film, what they learned from early screenings, and more. In addition, Walker also talked about completely changing the structure of 12 Years a Slave in the editing room, Michael Mann’s Blackhat, working with Denis Villeneuve on Sicario, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, and what he knows about Villeneuve’s Dune.
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[@DonJoeBob]

Editors are the unsung heroes of films. You don't really notice their work unless it's horrible or extraordinary like Joe Walker. Thanks Frosty.

[@Winduct]

Exactly. They should be walking the red carpet instead of those weirdos.

[@gloworm106]

It wasn't until I saw Arrival that I really understood how difficult editing can be, and how much difference having a solid editor can mean between a good film and a great film. Joe Walker is one of the best.

[@lp1484]

Dammit, I wanted more DUNE info. Great interview Frosty!

[@vincybadman871]

Good to see editors getting some spotlight.

[@warriorsofcamelotlotro3347]

Great interview, thanks!

[@MrCholoPants3415]

Just the mere thought of Denis Villneuve directing Dune makes boipucci wet

[@panwasutthinon6338]

4:48 wtf?

[@MrCholoPants3415]

Do you not know what a "jolt of energy" is? Not sure what you're confused about

[@CitizenDevi]

@@MrCholoPants3415 Joe made a weird movement.

[@carpedei_]

Editors usually are peculiar human beings.