I’m not sure about that run time business. My take on it is that he means he’s contractual to deliver the movie up to that length if necessary. Therefore not that they actually want the movie to be closer to that length for theatrical.
I think the test screenings are a good idea at this point. Of course it’s possible that the final cut could be a little longer than the Cannes cut if needed. I think Seb had it in a nutshell when he wrote in that latest blog: "Question is will the final theatrical version of Inglourious Basterds be even shorter, snappier (some critics say there was a lull towards the end) and quicker, or will it be longer, thus carrying more weight and giving it maybe more depth?"
I think we could see some of the longer dialogue scenes in the middle maybe being tightened up here and there and then possibly an extra scene or two being added that add a little more depth to certain characters (Madame Mimieux for Shosanna). Plus maybe more Basterds and Landa… which could come as result of test screenings.
