“Most complex delivery Marvel’s ever done”: James Gunn Leaves No Stones Unturned By Releasing 600 Versions of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

James Gunn, a well-known filmmaker, and screenwriter is renowned for his innovative contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. In a recent interview, it was revealed that the release of an outstanding 600 unique versions of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 each optimized for different aspect ratios available in today’s cinemas.

Read more: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 To Have Multiple MCU Debuts Confirms James Gunn

This move is aimed at providing moviegoers with the most immersive and visually stunning cinematic experience possible, making Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 the most complex delivery Marvel has ever made.

James Gunn’s Unique Approach To Releasing The 600 Version Of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn is known for his innovative and daring approach to filmmaking, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, is no exception.

In a groundbreaking move, Gunn and Marvel have created 600 different versions of the film, each tailored to the unique screen size of theaters across the United States and internationally. 

This approach to film delivery is aimed at providing cinemagoers with the most immersive and visually stunning experience possible. The changes made to each version of the film do not alter the story but rather optimize the viewing experience for each theater.

Disney’s Vice President of Finishing and Stereo, Evan Jacobs, praised the project in the interview with the Holywood Reporter, “It’s definitely the most complex delivery Marvel’s ever done.”

He explained the creative goal of the movie.

“Give every exhibitor in the United States and in most international territories [the ability to] maximize their screen size for the audience. So wherever you go to see it, you’re gonna see the best version.”

Read more: James Gunn Reveals His Two Most Favorite Films Ever Made

To achieve this, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 versions are customized to the format of each theater’s screens, with approximately 45 minutes of the movie opened up to a flat 1.85 aspect ratio for select “traditional” theaters.

There is also a version that only uses the 2.39 aspect ratio for certain and selects Dolby Cinema auditoriums, and an IMAX 1.90 version designed specifically for IMAX auditoriums.

Despite the tight schedule in the final weeks of production, the postproduction community worked tirelessly to create the best version of the film for each theater.

This innovative approach to film delivery is similar to James Cameron and Jon Landau’s approach to Avatar: The Way of Water, which had over 1,065 versions. 

The Avatar 2 Team Created 1,065 Delivery Versions For Theaters

In the world of filmmaking, delivering a high-quality viewing experience to audiences is important. However, this can be challenging with the varying screening capabilities of digital cinemas.

Read more: James Gunn Shares Major Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Update

In the case of Avatar: The Way of Water, the filmmakers went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that each theater received the best possible version of the movie.

This involved creating a staggering 1,065 unique delivery versions, including different combinations of 2D, 3D, HDR, 4K, aspect ratios, light levels, high frame rates, and audio formats. The movie also featured subtitles in 51 languages and was dubbed in 28 languages.

According to Kim Beresford, vice president of integrated planning and motion picture operations at Walt Disney Studios.

“We didn’t have the movie together until about 16 days before the release date. We moved reel by reel because we couldn’t wait. We had to turn our operation into a 24/7 support model.”

In the end, the team had created an astonishing 6,338 portions of the DCPs (digital cinema packages. which are the digital equivalent of a film print).

The movie was shot with Sony’s Venice cameras, including the use of Cameron’s 3D rigs for live action and underwater housing for shooting in the tank. 

The Avatar team’s efforts to create a unique and personalized viewing experience for each theater exemplify the importance of delivering high-quality content to audiences.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter