Agent Coulson's Death Scene Edited In European Home Release Of THE AVENGERS

Agent Coulson's Death Scene Edited In European Home Release Of THE AVENGERS

There's currently no word on WHY, but the European release of The Avengers on DVD and Blu-ray has been edited to make Agent Coulson's death a little less definite. Hit the jump for details and a comparison image showing the alterations.

By JoshWilding - Sep 17, 2012 07:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Avengers
Source: Bleeding Cool

Could this be proof that Marvel Studios are indeed planning to bring back Clark Gregg's 'Agent Coulson'? Well, no. Bleeding Cool have spotted the following difference in the US and UK versions of Marvel's The Avengers on DVD and Blu-ray, and as you can see, Loki's spear is no longer shown protruding from his chest. Surely this means that they're going to retcon his death, thereby making it a little easier to bring the popular character back in a future movie? Well, the scene is still intact in the US version and several others already released across the world. The BBFC had no problem approving Avengers Assemble '12A' rating when it was released in cinemas earlier this year and the scene WAS included in that cut. So, why has it happened? If anything, it seems like some sort of mistake, and after watching the film earlier today, it REALLY lessens the impact of the scene. Regardless, hopefully we'll get an explanation sooner rather than later. With Joss Whedon's commentary AND more special features, UK fans might just be better off importing a copy of the film from the US!










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)


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Daken
Daken - 9/17/2012, 7:44 AM
Of course it's edited here. What else. Especially Germany LOVES to cut and edit........... >:(
CyclopsWasRight
CyclopsWasRight - 9/17/2012, 7:45 AM
-_-
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/17/2012, 7:46 AM
I read the whole thing about this being done to make his death seem more ambiguous earlier on..it's not that at all. If they still have the scene include din which he stops breathing..and dies! Then he's still dead! This was most likely a cut made by European distributors who thought the shot of the spear protruding from his chest was a little too gruesome for a 12's movie.
Skrull
Skrull - 9/17/2012, 7:46 AM
It was probably just edited for content. There's no real reason to change it from the version shown in theaters other than the concern that someone, somewhere will find the scene too graphic. The edit does make the wound seem less lethal, however, though I don't think that was the intent.
gregmeister
gregmeister - 9/17/2012, 7:49 AM
What they need to do is make Coulson the model for The LDM,s.
Think of that, there could be dozens of him walking around.
CaptainFlan
CaptainFlan - 9/17/2012, 7:53 AM
That was possibly the most graphic violence I've seen in a Marvel Studios film, other than that Hydra soldier who was shredded into red mist in 'Captain America: The First Avenger'.

When watching the film, it kind of shocked me, the simple brutality of it. It let me know that there were real stakes involved. Editing it out lessens that impact.
ComradeGrey
ComradeGrey - 9/17/2012, 7:55 AM
It's because it's graphic violence. The funny thing is, european films have titties galore, but apparently American kids seeing thousands of hours of brutal violence is cool and one nipple will drive them all insane.
Paulley
Paulley - 9/17/2012, 7:56 AM
For [frick] sake... first no commentary and now this... let alone the collecters edition screw up. Seems like Disney have really f'ed up the home realease of this film.
jj2112
jj2112 - 9/17/2012, 8:00 AM
Of course, we Europeans are very sensitive. And it's a Disney movie...
Bucht
Bucht - 9/17/2012, 8:05 AM
Just checked my version of the DVD, (I'm Belgian) and you can see Coulson getting pierced just as in the first picture shown in this article.

Maybe it's only in the UK version...
Fogs
Fogs - 9/17/2012, 8:07 AM
That's because of the violence. Does anybody really has some doubt about it?

To say this is "less definite" is bullshit and sensationalist.

@ComradeGrey <<-- this.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 9/17/2012, 8:08 AM
region free wont change anything. Region status has nothing to do with NTSC/PAL. u won't be able to properly play an NTSC dvd in a PAL player, unless your player is capable of playing NTSC. Tv's in the uk cant convert the image either.
Super12
Super12 - 9/17/2012, 8:13 AM
Oh man, I can't wait to hear why this is PROOF Coulson's coming back lol
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 9/17/2012, 8:18 AM
gregmeister@

lol that LMD idea is my favorite Coulson idea so far.
superotherside
superotherside - 9/17/2012, 8:30 AM
Heh, that's not very violent. People seem to complain about everything now days. LOL.
BlackMax88
BlackMax88 - 9/17/2012, 8:34 AM
In Germany existed two versions of the movie, one cut one unrated and for the bluray-release, they decided to take the cut version, the italian version is unrated
DetBullock
DetBullock - 9/17/2012, 8:37 AM
@BlackMax88: And I live in Italy, wheee!
CaptainFlan
CaptainFlan - 9/17/2012, 8:50 AM
LEVITIKUZ

Marvel Studio's films have violence.

Iron Man knocks people out with his repulsor rays.

The Incredible Hulk smashes soldiers and brawls with monsters.

Thor clubs frost giants into submission with his mighty hammer Mjolnir.

Captain America spends 3 years in WW2 knocking out Hydra goons with his amazing shield.

Black Widow non-lethally neutralizes Hammer Industries guards with martial arts.

Hawkeye shoots security guards in Germany with his trick arrows.

This is violence.

Loki stabbing Agent Coulson from behind with a giant scepter/spear through the heart, the tip protruding from his chest, covered in blood and killing him is graphic violence.

This one moment stood out from the previous films with the graphic-ness of it. It was intentionally more intense to make a statement regarding the character of Loki, the courage of Agent Coulson and the life or death stakes of the film's conflict. It let kids know he was DEAD.

Editing this out is stupid. I hate censorship. If Joss Whedon wants me to see that as part of the story he's telling, then that's what I want to watch, not what censors have decided I should be exposed to.

Hope I clarified my statement.
billytwohats
billytwohats - 9/17/2012, 8:51 AM
Teacup storm.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 9/17/2012, 9:02 AM
..."WAIT A MINUTE..."



...."LETS..



....MAKE....


....SURE.....



...YOU....



...DIE!...."

Angelus
Angelus - 9/17/2012, 9:06 AM
Whatevasss
spidey1994
spidey1994 - 9/17/2012, 9:12 AM
@Angelus What is that gif from?
TheDARKestKNIGHT
TheDARKestKNIGHT - 9/17/2012, 9:14 AM
Look at Favreau's eyes automatically go down to "dat ass" in the above gif. Lol classic.
GoILL
GoILL - 9/17/2012, 9:15 AM
@Angelus

Thank you for that gif.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/17/2012, 9:19 AM
i've got a steel case copy of the avengers,its a got a big "A" on the cover,very nice.

not too worried by this edit(as long as he don't comeback as the vision),i'll the brief case edition & it should be uncut.

@ OhGawDuhhh

in thor heimdall cuts the head off a frost giant as well,when he defrosts.

captain america red skull test fires new hydra weapons on nazi's.
CaptainFlan
CaptainFlan - 9/17/2012, 9:30 AM
Marvel72

I guess everyone's idea of graphic violence is different. Personally, I'm not a prude and as long as it fits the story, I don't care.

The Thor decaptiation scene and the nazi agents getting vaporized didn't have the same effect on me as the Loki scene. It had more impact. Does that make sense? Kind of like in 'Poseidon'?

The whole movie, people are getting wiped out in horrible ways but the scene in the elevator shaft was just more 'intense' and carried an emotional heft to it. Does that make sense?

Also, I just Google'd that steelbook case you mentioned. Looks great! You're a lucky guy.

I hope we get it here in the states. Also, I noticed that the cover for Captain America: The First Avenger in other countries doesn't have the American flag flying majestically in the background. Funny little changes made to fit different markets always interest me.
campblood
campblood - 9/17/2012, 9:33 AM
European film board must be pussies about violence to deny the citizens the original cut

i feel bad for you guys but Europe is more liberal about nudity so its a trade off
LAWLZY96
LAWLZY96 - 9/17/2012, 9:35 AM
lolwut
campblood
campblood - 9/17/2012, 9:38 AM
i agree ELgUaSoN marvel does its violence just graphic enough to keep it in the kid friendly zone because they understand that kids can handle it
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 9/17/2012, 9:39 AM
Meh...didn't care for his death anyway. Just felt forced.
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