Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut: Differences, where to watch & more
Sony PicturesAs Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 heads back into theaters, many fans want to revisit (or even discover) the “superior” editor’s cut of the movie — here’s a breakdown of the changes and how to watch it.
Spider-Man Mondays are in full swing as theaters across the country are screening the finale of Raimi’s trilogy, but this re-release has led many to seek out the editor’s cut of the movie.
Spider-Man 3 is the most divisive of Raimi’s movies, with fans and critics alike taking issue with its juggling of narrative arcs and characters when the movie premiered in 2007.
However, Sony released an “editor’s cut” for its home entertainment, which widely considered to be the better, ‘real’ version thanks to its changes enhancing the movie’s overall quality. And, with the movie swinging back into theaters, we can break down how the editor’s cut differs from the original film, where you can watch it, and more.
What is the Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut?
Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut is an official alternate version of the original film that’s been re-edited and includes extended scenes.
The editor’s cut is about two minutes shorter than the original cut and features with unused music from the film’s composer Christopher Young, including a new theme song for Peter Parker and his girlfriend, MJ Watson.
When asked if there was ever a three hour version of the movie, Spider-Man 3 editor Bob Murawski explained that the longest cut of the movie was around two hours and forty minutes.
Murawski also responded to about fans who demanded to see a “Raimi cut”, as many believed the director had no say in the final version of the movie. The editor refuted those claims, confirming, “There is no ‘Raimi cut.’ He agreed with the cuts that were made and probably would have cut more out of the movie if we were in total control of it.”
Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut differences vs. theatrical release
Peter and Harry’s fight begins differently
Peter and Harry Osborn start their epic fight on a calmer note rather the original’s emotional outburst.
One of the most emotional moments of the movie comes from the epic showdown between Harry and Peter, as it’s revealed that Harry was behind the breakup between him and MJ.
In the original cut of the film, Peter — fueled by the Symbiote’s dark energy — angrily confronts Harry and accuses his former friend of messing with MJ to get to him.
However, in the editor’s cut, the fight begins when Peter appears behind Harry while lying on a couch in his living room (almost mimicking how Harry found Norman at the end of the first film) versus coming through the apartment’s balcony. Plus, Peter is way more confident about the ensuing fight and almost goads Harry into the battle rather than lashing out from his emotions.
Bully Maguire’s dance has even darker undertones
Peter’s iconic emo street dance takes place after he inadvertently mutilates his friend.
Even if you’ve never seen Spider-Man 3 in its entirety, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t at least heard of Emo Peter, or Bully Maguire as he’s also known.
This is when Peter is especially mean and cruel under the influence of the Symbiote, and one of his most notoriously iconic moments comes as he dances down the street while trying to impress passing women.
It’s a pretty goofy moment in the original cut of the movie, as it makes Peter look like a bit of a creep rather than a villain.
However, in the editor’s cut, Peter’s dance montage has a more sinister vibe to it as the moment comes on the heels of his fight with Harry, where he uses his web to throw back the pumpkin bomb Harry tossed at him.
As it detonates, it scorches part of Harry’s face, before the editor’s cut pivots to Peter dancing down the street without a care in the world.
Sandman reunites with his daughter
Flint Marko is allowed to briefly reunite with his daughter after his showdown with Spider-Man.
Marko is arguably the most tragic character in Spider-Man 3. While he’s a criminal and holds responsibility for Uncle Ben’s death, he turned to a life of crime in order to pay for his young daughter’s treatments.
In the original cut of the movie, Marko only gets to see his daughter once after he escapes prison and, though Spider-Man eventually lets him escape in the end, it was left unclear if the Sandman would ever reunite with his daughter.
In the editor’s cut, Sandman appears to his daughter in the form of a giant sandcastle and the two share a tender embrace, though she doesn’t know the castle is actually her father.
Peter gives Ursula a proper apology
Peter gives Ursula an overdue apology for his aggressive behavior caused by the Symbiote’s influence.
In Spider-Man 2 and 3, the Ditkovichs act as Peter’s landlords, but both Ursula and her father have more prominent roles in Spider-Man 3.
In the original version, Peter can be seen using the apartment’s public phone to apologize to MJ for how he’s been treating her and he apologizes to Mr. Ditkovich for being rude.
However, in the editor’s cut, it’s actually Ursula who tells Peter that MJ has been trying to reach by phone and Peter apologizes to her there and then.
Harry’s forgiveness has nothing to do with Spider-Man
Harry chooses to forgive Peter without learning about his innocence in connection to his father’s death.
In the original Spider-Man 3, Harry’s path to forgiving Peter for lying to him comes from a speech delivered by the Osborn family butler.
He tells Harry that Spider-Man had nothing to do with the fatal wound his father, Norman, suffered from at the end of Spider-Man (2000), so Harry decides to go to Peter so they can reconcile.
The editor’s cut actually has Harry coming to the conclusion that his friend should be forgiven after he sees a framed picture of himself, Peter, and MJ with the glass broken.
It’s a great metaphor for the fractured relationships between the trio and leads Harry to realize he needs his friends without even knowing that Spider-Man/Peter is innocent when it comes to Norman’s death.
The Symbiote comes alive before Peter’s eyes
The Symbiote within Peter’s suit reveals itself to be alive as it tempts him to put it on.
After dealing with his breakup with MJ (and knowing Harry is behind it), Peter goes full Symbiote and allows his aggression to be fueled by it, leading audiences to the scenes of Emo Peter.
The Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut adds a new scene of the Symbiote actively tempting Peter to put it on and revealing itself to be alive.
When Peter opens the truck he stashed the suit in, you can see that the suit is breathing and, at 1:20, it lightly whispers, “Come back to us.”
This added scene allows audience to see the full power of the suit and how Peter’s depressive state was its perfect target.
Peter uses the Symbiote during the day
Spider-Man can also be seen using the Symbiote suit during the day, which is something the original movie never showed.
Because the Symbiote is a parasitic alien creature that feeds on its host’s energy, it tends to move around in the shadows.
When the life form latches onto Peter the original version of the film, it finds him at night after its meteor crashes into Central Park. As Peter and MJ are about to drive away on his scooter, it just manages to attach its tendrils to his license plate in time.
Fans never saw Peter using the black suit during the day — in the editor’s cut, there’s a couple of scenes where everyone’s favorite neighborhood hero is swinging around in a new look made of pure evil.
Where to watch Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut
The Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
Unfortunately, no streaming service is offering the Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut as part of its subscription, but the original cut of the movie is available to stream on Disney+.
However, a few of the editor’s cut scenes are available to watch on YouTube, though they are classified as deleted scenes.
Is the Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut on DVD or Blu-ray?
The Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut is available as part of the ‘Legacy’ Blu-ray collection.
Released in October 2017, The Amazing Spider-Man Legacy Collection is a 4K Blu-ray box set that contains Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
The collection came in a steelbook that was decorated with artwork from the film and contained a copy of Spider-Man 2.1, an extended cut of Spider-Man 2.
Unfortunately, that specific box set is a bit hard to find, as it’s a rare collector’s item. It last sold for $99.99 in 2017, but the price certainly has gone up since then.
When did the Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut come out?
The editor’s cut of Spider-Man 3 came out in 2017 for the movie’s 10th anniversary.
Spider-Man 3 editor’s cut was released to counterbalance the backlash Spider-Man 3 received when it first debuted and acts as most fans definitive version of the movie.
You can find out everything we know about Spider-Man 4, including if Raimi will return for it, and check out other new movies to stream in April.
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