The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (partially lost deleted scenes of superhero sequel film; 2014)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a 2014 live-action superhero film directed by Marc Webb. Due to the movie underperforming with both critics and the box office, this film was the final entry in the Andrew Garfield Spider-Man series, stopping at only two films in spite of the previously announced cinematic universe involving the series. Andrew Garfield later returned as his version of Peter Parker in the crossover film Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 faced a very troubled production history, with tons of studio interference. Sony Pictures was aiming to please as many audience goers as possible, resulting in tons of script rewrites and reshoots very late into production. Early test screenings of the film in March contained a very different edit than what eventually came to movie theaters in May 2014.[1][2] Several of these changes were later confirmed through leaked production stills and storyboards following the film's release.
The most infamous omission was the character of Mary-Jane Watson, a longtime love and eventual wife of Peter Parker in the comics. She was going to be played by Shailene Woodley from Divergent fame. However, by the time of the film's release, it was already announced that her entire role was cut from the final film.
Director Marc Webb talked about the exclusion of the character from the film and had this to say.[3]
“There was one little scene at the beginning where she is next door, and it took place right around the montage where he comes back, and there was another little moment between Gwen and MJ. But it just tipped over. The relationship between them [Peter and Gwen] is so sacred and so powerful that it just didn’t feel right. And it sucks because Shailene is such a f**king great actress and so cool and magical, but it was just about having this obligation to this romance that I thought was sacred. It was just one of those things.”
The scenes were excluded from the Blu-Ray release of the film and no actual footage of these deleted Mary-Jane scenes is available. The only clue to her involvement other than set pictures is a recording of B-roll of three scenes involving Woodley.
The Blu-ray release contains roughly 20 minutes of deleted scenes; some of which were known to exist by fans dating back to the rough cut reviews in March. However, there are several other scenes that are still lost.
List of Deleted Scenes
Aunt May Leaves for the Hospital
Early in the film, a scene was cut where Aunt May leaves to work at the hospital while Peter tries to fix his car engine. The dialogue is as follows:
Aunt May: "Sorry, but I have to work late at the hospital and I'll be forced to miss your graduation. I hope you won't be too disappointed."
Peter: "I understand that there has been more injuries ever since colourful action costume super-villains have come into town. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Aunt May: "I'm glad to hear that. I'll be back around 2 tomorrow morning."
In the final film, Aunt May is present at the graduation as the scene takes place during the film's opening moments. It's likely since this was shot early during principal photography, the graduation sequence was reshot once this scene was omitted; most definitely because it transitioned into Mary-Jane's introduction.
MJ Meets Peter Parker
Following the previous cut scene with Aunt May, MJ rolls up on her motorcycle while Peter is fixing his car engine. He learns she's his new neighbor, causing Peter to be instantly smitten.[4]
According to concept artist Gregory Hill, Mary-Jane was to move in with her father. Peter would've witnessed her drunken father's abusive behaviour, leading into another deleted scene.
Peter Confronts MJ's Dad
A scene was filmed where Peter, as Spider-Man would web MJ's dad upside down from the garage ceiling. Peter walks upside down along the ceiling to meet him eye to eye. He then lectures MJ's dad over his poor treatment towards his daughter.[5]
Extended Rhino Chase Scene
The opening sequence of Spider-Man chasing down Aleksei Sytsevich was originally longer, and more cohesively edited. It began with Spider-Man blending in with a costume parade, as he grapples onto a moving police truck to join the chase. This scene did make it into the final film -- albeit it was shuffled and edited into a montage of Spidey helping civilians later in the film.[6]
After the aforementioned shot, Spider-Man would've jumped across several police cars before leaping in to the air to save Max. Overall, the scene flowed more smoothly than what's presented in the theatrical cut.
Mary-Jane would've made her first appearance in the film during this scene as a bystander working in a coffee shop. She's still technically present in the final film, seen from behind.
In the rough cut, Spider-Man did not whistle the 60's theme while pantsing Aleksei. The original edit of this scene can partially be seen in the 2013 Comic-Con trailer.
Harry Talks to Norman Extended
Seen throughout various trailers and commercials, Harry's final moments with his father originally contained a conversation about Peter. Norman responds, "Not everyone has a happy ending."
Peter Enters Oscorp
As seen in the international trailers, the scene of Peter going to visit Harry originally began with shots of him entering the Osborn family home.
Funeral Flashback
A scene was cut right before release where you saw a flashback of Peter's parents' funeral. Peter was alone in his dad's study while the reception was held at Aunt May's house. A young Harry entered the room and the two began to play chess. A younger Norman holding a cane entered the doorway to summon Harry before the scene ended.[7]
Fake Spider-Man Subplot
Not much is known about this scene, but Peter was to confront an unconvincing, fake Spider-Man scamming a New Yorker. It could have been part of the montage sequence early in the film.[8]
Harry and His Girlfriend
As his condition worsens, Harry becomes addicted to alcohol. While driving through the city with his girlfriend, he begins to speed under the influence. His girlfriend begs him to stop.
MJ Meets Gwen Stacy
The two infamous loves of Peter Parker's life come together to meet when Gwen Stacy shows up at Peter's house and finds MJ. By the context of the footage, this scene was possibly meant to happen sometime near the end of the film, when Gwen is on her way to leave for school and looking to say goodbye to Peter one last time. It was eventually reshot with Aunt May answering the door - that version of the scene can be seen on the blu-ray's deleted scenes.
Alternate/Extended Gwen Stacey Death Scene
The clock tower fight was much longer in the rough cut. As Gwen begins falling down the Clock Tower, Peter pushes Harry out of the way and dives for her. Harry then calls his glider and beats Peter as he catches Gwen. Harry holds her up by her neck as Peter pleads for him to stop. He repeats his earlier line about "taking away people's hope", and snaps Gwen's neck with one hand. He drops her, and Peter grieves over Gwen as Harry cackles in the background.
A shot of Peter screaming from this scene can be found in the trailers. He then turns his attention to the Goblin and grabs a steel rod off the ground. Peter begins to pummel him with it, as Harry lies defenseless and defeated on the floor. Moments before killing him, visions of Uncle Ben flash in Peter's mind as he remembers his last words. Peter comes to his senses and webs the Goblin up. Police sirens are heard in the background, as he holds Gwen one last time and leaves.
Alternate Rhino Ending
The final scene of Rhino originally featured alternate dialogue, and had Spidey holding the manhole cover as seen in the trailers.[9]
Original Post Credits Scene
Before being replaced by a trailer for X-Men Days of Future Past, the film contained a proper post-credits scene. First revealed in reviews of the rough cut, the scene followed The Gentlemen as he entered the Special Projects room in Oscorp. He approaches the cryogenically frozen head of Norman Osborn, and says, "Time to wake up, old friend." The Gentlemen then leaves the room.
See Also
- Spider-Man: The Venom Factor (lost unreleased Spider-Man PC game, 1996-1997)
- Spider-Man: The New Animated Series "Geldhoff" (lost storyboards of cancelled episode of MTV animated series; 2003)
- Spider-Man (lost Josh Keaton vocal performance of film-based superhero game; 2002)
- Spider-Man 4 (found unreleased video games based on cancelled Marvel film sequel; 2010)
- Spider-Man Safety Series (partially found direct-to-video animated educational series; 1990)
- Spider-Man Trilogy (partially found deleted scenes of action-superhero films; 2002-2007)
- Spider-Man versus Kraven the Hunter (lost short superhero fan film; 1974)
- The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (lost Josh Keaton vocal performance of 2D animated series; 2012)
Reference
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/user/youdonthavetotrustme/
- ↑ https://forums.superherohype.com/threads/rough-cut-version-of-tasm2.481561/
- ↑ A ScreenRant page on the deleted scenes.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/7Omm4KYfSmE
- ↑ https://spidermannews.com/2014/05/08/new-details-mary-jane-watsons-scrapped-appearance-amazing-spider-man-2-revealed/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtYcNxokDL4&ab_channel=ReleaseTheWebb%5CRaimiCut
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTQsIpfQXKU&ab_channel=ReleaseTheWebb%5CRaimiCut
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX3YOLRN610&ab_channel=ReleaseTheWebb%5CRaimiCut
- ↑ https://youtu.be/9dsffeCzXGw