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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?
28 Comments
1
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
rocky728 on Aug 28, 2012
2
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.
Ethan Anderton on Aug 28, 2012
3
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..
quest on Aug 28, 2012
4
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
JerseyBoy on Aug 28, 2012
5
Seriously, who cares what you think? I think you just like to get blinfolded. By men.
TheRagingCajun on Aug 28, 2012
6
Rage less Mr. Cajun.
Xerxexx on Aug 28, 2012
7
Oh you crazy Cajun 🙂
JerseyBoy on Aug 28, 2012
8
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.
John on Aug 28, 2012
9
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.
Ethan Anderton on Aug 28, 2012
10
I'm not sure if I like the flashback idea, but this movie could have used more scenes like this one.
germss on Aug 28, 2012
11
I like it, I like it a lot. Honestly I think it works just fine.
Xerxexx on Aug 28, 2012
12
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.
Ethan Anderton on Aug 28, 2012
13
Got my pistol, ready to go ten paces...the winner will be declared "right" in this situation! What say you!?
Xerxexx on Aug 28, 2012
15
"..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.
partypooper on Aug 28, 2012
16
she's such a bad dramatic actress. can't take her seriously after HIMYM
D on Aug 28, 2012
17
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.
Chris Groves on Aug 28, 2012
18
What a depressing way to start off the movie. Reveals that despite winning in the end, all the lives lost leaves a sad vibe.
Marc Callado on Aug 28, 2012
19
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.
Brandon Carey on Aug 28, 2012
20
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.
Cody W on Aug 28, 2012
21
it makes sense when you see the deleted ending with her...
thenewguy82 on Aug 28, 2012
22
Good decision to cut it. Meh
ff on Aug 28, 2012
23
I already have the blu ray here in australia, september? really?
Alleycat on Aug 28, 2012
24
Did the Hulk scare you? 🙂
David Banner on Aug 28, 2012
25
Dear god, her acting's pretty wooden here.
Rich8606 on Aug 29, 2012
26
"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?
David Banner on Aug 29, 2012
27
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.
Ali Miller on Aug 30, 2012
28
while the police and paramedics evacuated the victims,,, they ate shawarma...
AldinoSinatra on Aug 29, 2012
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