Disney UK have finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding the UK release of Avengers Assemble on Blu-ray. Talking to Home Cinema Choice, Lydia Rodrigues (Disney UK's home entertainment spokesperson) had this to say about reports earlier today that Agent Coulson's death had been censored, removing the tip of Loki's spear which protrudes from his chest. It appears as if the part of the confusion could be down to the fact that UK critics - myself included - were shown a US print of the film before its theatrical release at the end of April.
"There’s been no censorship, no foul play. The version of Marvel’s Avengers Assemble on Blu-ray disc in the UK is the same as the version shown theatrically. It really is. The simple fact is for a 12 certificate film in the UK, that scene was deemed inappropriate. So Marvel Studios chose to remove the spear tip digitally."
One question which has plagued fans is why exactly Joss Whedon's "Director's Commentary" wasn't included in the UK release of
Avengers Assemble. Disney had reportedly claimed that it was down to it being recorded too late to be included on the disc, and that does indeed seem to be the case - not that it will make those missing out feel any better at this point - because of some fairly technical sounding reasons.
"That was a bit of a disappointment. Our DLT (Digital Linear Tape, required to replicate the disc) had to be delivered one month earlier than that required for the US pressing. So we missed out. We wanted it too."
However, there are currently no plans to release any special editions in future which would include the commentary as they understandably don't consider that to be fair to UK fans. They surprisingly DO condone importing a US copy (which is region-free and features both the "Director's Commentary" and additional special features) despite the fact that it will ultimately make a dent in how well
Avengers Assemble sells in the UK.
"That’s been the subject of heated debate here (at Disney UK), but we don’t think we can really ask fans who have bought this version to buy another just to obtain the commentary. So at the moment we are thinking it won’t be released. We also know that hardcore fans with Blu-ray players are probably going to end up buying the US release which has the commentary. The American Blu-ray is region-free. We don’t think we can ask people to buy both versions."
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures Marvel’s The Avengers--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
STARRING:
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Ramanoff/Black Widow
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson
Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
RELEASE DATE: September 17th, 2012 (UK) September 25th, 2012 (US)