If you’re anything like me, the idea of different versions of media existing out there in the ether, forcing viewers to do homework to figure out which one is the “right” one, is nothing but an aggravating experience (outside of director’s cuts, of course). That applies twofold with a movie as genuinely fun as “Across the Spider-Verse,” which has once again become overshadowed by external controversies that could’ve easily been avoided in the first place. The latest one focuses on the changes made to the film’s digital release, which Phil Lord and Chris Miller are now addressing.
In a new interview with Total Film, the filmmaking duo that served as producers on both “Spider-Verse” films explained why this apparent new version features so many differences from the theatrical cut(s). According to Miller:
“There was an international version that was made almost two months before the movie came out because it had to be translated into different languages and these French censors have to decide what the rating of the movie is in Europe.
The team at [Sony Pictures] Imageworks still had some shots that they felt they could do better for the finished version. So, they cleaned up and tweaked those things.”
Now, while slightly differing international cuts are a commonplace practice for the vast majority of blockbusters, what makes this situation so unusual is the idea that the film seems to have been in a constant state of flux — even after release. But as Lord goes on to say, “I think most of the changes are improvements.” Of course, many disgruntled fans would contest that, pointing to numerous instances where slight changes in dialogue or animation made for a less rewarding experience. However, there are even more details to parse in this story.