One of the most divisive Spider-Man films is 2007's Spider-Man 3, the finale of director Sam Raimi's trilogy. Due to its mixed reception, Sony Pictures assembled a Spider-Man 3 editor's cut -- rebranded as Spider-Man 3.1 -- available on home video.
In addition to the inclusion of alternate takes, dialogue revisions, subtle changes in the film's score, and snippets of Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker becoming increasingly enthralled by the symbiote suit's dark influence, the editor's cut added several significant scenes. Here are the biggest changes Spider-Man 3.1 made to the theatrical release.
Spider-Man 3.1 Features Alternate Scenes of the Ditkovichs
The Ditkovichs were a father and daughter from an undisclosed country in Eastern Europe who served as Peter's landlords in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. Peter's attempt to use the apartment's public phone to call Mary Jane Watson and to apologize to Mr. Ditkovich for his behavior earlier in Spider-Man 3 are cut in the editor's version. Instead, an alternate take of Ursula alerting Peter that MJ has been trying to reach him is used later in the film, and Peter apologizes to her for his symbiote-influenced behavior.
Additional scenes in Peter's apartment in the editor's cut include two short sequences in which Peter is visibly tempted to put on the symbiote suit, drawn to its dark power as it remains locked away in a trunk, with one sequence giving the illusion that the suit is breathing.
Peter's Fight With Harry Osborn Begins Differently
One of the most emotional moments in Spider-Man 3 is the second showdown between Peter and Harry Osborn (James Franco) after Harry has quietly orchestrated a break-up between Peter and MJ. In the theatrical release, Peter attacks Harry after Osborn taunts his estranged friend over his recent kiss with MJ. However, the fight begins differently in the alternate cut.
In that version, a cockier Peter is awaiting Harry in his penthouse, reclining on a couch rather than on the apartment's balcony. Peter is also calmer and more confident for most of the conversation until Harry goads him into attacking.
Spider-Man 3 Editor's Cut Restores Sandman's Sandcastle Scene
Among the bigger additions in the Spider-Man 3 editor's cut is a scene in which Sandman visits his daughter, Penny, in the form of a sandcastle. Penny is visibly disappointed that her father doesn't visit her and her mother, Emma, as they wait at a park, unaware that Flint Marko has nearly been killed by a symbiote-influenced Spider-Man. As she grabs her crutches, Penny notices a sandcastle in a patch of sand. She approaches and places her hands on it. She has a small, emotional moment before departing with her mother. As she looks back, she notices the sandcastle has disappeared.
In his human form, Flint watches his wife and daughter depart before the scene transitions to him accepting Venom's offer to team up against Spider-Man. His motivation for this agreement is now underscored by the restored scene.
Harry's Redemption Is Different in Spider-Man 3.1
In the theatrical cut, the Osborn family butler explains to a scarred Harry that the fatal wounds his father suffered were not caused by Spider-Man, absolving Peter and leading Harry to reconcile with his best friend. This moment of convenient exposition is excised in the editor's cut, however, replacing Harry's motivation for seeking redemption.
Instead, after angrily sending Peter away, Harry spots a framed photograph of himself, Peter and Mary Jane from happier times with the glass broken. Contemplating his broken friendships, Harry decides completely on his own to reconcile with Peter without learning the truth about Spider-Man's innocence in Norman's death.