Marvel has released 600 different versions of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 in cinemas
Topics: Guardians Of The Galaxy, James Gunn, Marvel
Ali Condon
Featured Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Topics: Guardians Of The Galaxy, James Gunn, Marvel
Are you looking forward to seeing Guardians of the Galaxy 3 now that it's out in cinemas?
Oh, you are? Which one, exactly? Because there are about 600 different versions...
Yep, director James Gunn has teamed up with Marvel to put together and distribute 600 different versions of the film - so the version of Guardians you watch in one cinema will be totally different to the version you watch in another.
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If you're a hardcore Marvel enthusiast and are already breaking a sweat trying to figure out how you'll get around to seeing all 600, fear not.
These different versions aren't going to alter the storyline or add extra details to the MCU in any way, so you won't be missing out on anything, I promise.
Instead the idea is to release the same film with 600 different aspect ratios, to 'maximise their screen size for the audience.'
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about this plan, Disney's VP of finishing and stereo, Evan Jacobs said: "So wherever you go to see it, you're gonna see the best version."
He added that this move marks 'definitely the most complex delivery Marvel’s ever done.'
It might seem a little over the top to make 600 different version of a film - the difference between which won't be noticed by most viewers - but it's actually pretty common to release different versions for different ratios.
In fact, for context, James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water distributed a whopping 1,065 versions.
It's so that, whether you're watching the film in a 'traditional theatre', an IMAX, or a Dolby Cinema, in 2D or 3D, you'll get the best out of it.
600 versions is a pretty big feat for the MCU team, but James Gunn was in and out throughout the process to help them figure out the right experiences for each theatre configuration.
"He’s essentially said, ‘I’m gonna pop in and out creatively [and you’ll] suddenly see something more immersive and bigger, that’s going to fill your screen,’” Jacobs said.
For example, one version has been designed to change aspect ratios during the film, so for about 45 minutes, the film's ratio will stand at 1.85, before stretching out to 2.39.
According to Jacobs, James Gunn 'designed it and he shot and framed for it [with this in mind]. That was his creative intention.'
He added: "Sometimes it’s the music, sometimes it’s what’s happening, sometimes it’s whatever."
And, if you can, he recommends checking out the 'really cool' 3D version that'll really take advantage of the variable framing options.