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Watch: Dramatic Alternate Intro to 'Avengers' Paints Grim Flashback

by Ethan Anderton
August 28, 2012
Source: Yahoo

In case you weren't aware, the Blu-Ray and DVD release of The Avengers is coming on September 25th (but the real deal is the "Phase One" of Marvel's cinematic universe which comes in a briefcase with the Tesseract). The impending home video release is where that hilarious gag reel came from, and now we have another tidbit from the set in the form of an alternate intro to the film. It's a much more somber and dramatic scene that would've set the stage for a Christopher Nolan-esque take on The Avengers. It's a great sequence with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) bitterly recalling the disastrous battle in NYC (essentially making the rest of the movie a flashback) but it doesn't jive with everything else. Watch!

Here's the alternate intro to Joss Whedon's The Avengers, originally from Yahoo:

There are clearly echoes of the aftermath of 9/11 here, and injecting the concept of superheroes into a tragedy of that scale helps make the big screen action more grounded and realistic. However, the sequence is just a little too intense and dark, a stark contrast to the level of fun action and comedy that Joss Whedon brings later. That's not to say that The Avengers doesn't have its share of great dramatic moments, but it's easy to see why this opening was cut in favor of what we ended up seeing in theaters. I can't wait to see what else was left on the cutting room floor when The Avengers hits Blu-Ray/DVD on September 25th. Cool?

Filed under Cool Stuff, Feat, To Watch

From around the web:

rocky728

I like this and would've welcomed it. It's short enough that I don't think the overall feel would've been changed that much. Plus I love that it seems to lay the ground work for a registration act sequel and maybe even include aspects of the Civil War story. Obviously on a smaller scale being that there aren't that many costumes yet
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  I would love if this conflict between Hill and Fury is developed in the sequel and starts to lead towards a Civil War storyline. I've always dreamed of seeing that arc play out on the big screen.
  - quest
    
    agree..but i think not until at least 10 marvel's movie and three avengers movie, a lot of character involved in that story arc..
JerseyBoy

Too intense and dark? No I think this scene would have been perfect, it's artistic in a sense of the tone of the film and really builds up a much more dramatic tone in light of the film. It clearly does echo the aftermath, but seeing that shot of Captain America in that one pose in that scene that was brilliantly well put. Maybe it could have been cut down and added towards the end. But did you really just say that scene alone was too intense and dark compared to the whole film cause if you did I'm starting to think you watched The Avengers blindfolded
- TheRagingCajun
  
  Seriously, who cares what you think? I think you just like to get blinfolded. By men.
  - Xerxexx
    
    Rage less Mr. Cajun.
  - JerseyBoy
    
    Oh you crazy Cajun
John

This is a great little sequence... I love the foreshadowing and the darker tone. The Avengers opening was probably my least favorite part of the film. It's been a while since I saw the film, but I think the movie just throws you into exposition about the tesseract, and then Loki randomly shows up, and then an action scene. Glad this alternate opening is on the blu-ray extras, but wish it was in the film itself.
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  The opening of the film is definitely a little clunky. And though I think this sequence is better crafted, I just don't think it fits with the rest of the film so well.
germss

I'm not sure if I like the flashback idea, but this movie could have used more scenes like this one.
Xerxexx

I like it, I like it a lot. Honestly I think it works just fine.
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  Don't get me wrong, I like the sequence a lot. But I just don't think it fits very well with the rest of the movie. It's not a drastic style change, but just too somber of a start for the movie.
  - Xerxexx
    
    Got my pistol, ready to go ten paces...the winner will be declared "right" in this situation! What say you!?
    - http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
      
      LET'S DO THIS!
partypooper

"..helps make the big screen action more grounded and realistic" LMAO. Sure,now we need a realistic portrayal of Santa Claus. It's a fun movie definitely.Realistic?Give me a break.Even Nolans' Batman is a strech. Superheroes are fiction. Bring on the downvotes.
D

she's such a bad dramatic actress. can't take her seriously after HIMYM
http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

Not bad...it wouldn't have ruined the movie or anything. I just think it sets it up the wrong way. I don't typically like the 'flashback' structure because this would reveal that both Cap and Hill survive while at the same time foreshadowing the potential of others dying. To have that type of set up, and to see that none of the major players like Fury or the Avengers themsevles die would feel like an incorrect set up. I thoroughly enjoy the balls to the wall approach of the finished film.
http://shiftlocal.wordpress.com/ Marc Callado

What a depressing way to start off the movie. Reveals that despite winning in the end, all the lives lost leaves a sad vibe.
Brandon Carey

This kind of intro is great for a home vid/extended release, but I don't think I'd like it as much on a first go in the theatre cause it gives a bit too much away. Overall I'm glad it was cut even though I like the darker tone of it... but I wouldn't mind seeing it reinserted for a special edition version of the movie.
Cody W

Her acting was just awful there, I just dont like how she saying all these bad things about Fury and the Avengers, when clearly at the ending sequence of the movie she was supporting all of them. It just doesnt make sense.
- thenewguy82
  
  it makes sense when you see the deleted ending with her...
ff

Good decision to cut it. Meh
Alleycat

I already have the blu ray here in australia, september? really?
David Banner

Did the Hulk scare you?
Rich8606

Dear god, her acting's pretty wooden here.
David Banner

"Pilot Ordered for ABC's Joss Whedon Marvel TV Series - And it's S.H.I.E.L.D." Headline of an Ign article. Think I confused myself, and thought it was an Avenger TV-series Joss was making?
- http://twitter.com/equustel Ali Miller
  
  It was meant to be a show connected to the Avengers and the greater Marvel cinematic universe. S.H.I.E.L.D. fits the bill perfectly.
AldinoSinatra

while the police and paramedics evacuated the victims,,, they ate shawarma...