[Movies] UK DVD Of The Avengers Has Major Scene Edited (SPOILERS)
Posted by Joseph Lee on 09.17.2012
Is it retcon or is it just censorship?
Bleeding Cool reports that a major scene in The Avengers was edited for the UK DVD release (titled Avengers Assemble there).
This will contain spoilers, so don't read if you haven't seen the film.
The UK version of the film was released on DVD and Blu-ray today. The edited cut only appears on the UK version, and possibly the German version as well. The Italian version appears to be the same as the US.
The moment in Agent Coulson's death in which a spear is shoved through his chest has been edited so now the tip of the blade does not appear to be sticking out of him. Some think that maybe this is a way to retcon Coulson's death for future movies, but since it wasn't edited that way on the US version this is unlikely. The change has not affected the rating of the film, which is still 12 in the UK.
The BBFC's Extended Classification Information describes the scene as such: "A slightly stronger moment occurs when a man is stabbed through the back by the chief villain's spear. The detail of the impact is not shown, only the tip of the spear protruding from the man's chest with a small amount of blood on it. The image is not dwelt upon and serves an important narrative purpose."
The US Blu-Ray of The Avengers is region free and will play on any player in the world, in case you live in the UK and don't want your movies censored. It also includes Joss Whedon's commentary track, which is also missing from the UK and other international versions, along with more features and documentary material.
