Synopsis:
The Sandman thread is entirely removed from SPIDERMAN 3 in order to create a tighter movie focused on the three friends (Peter, Harry, MJ) – with Venom as the Dark Side enabler and ultimate villain.
Intentions:
Inspiring people in the fanedit community that prompted me to think about a movie which had a lot of promise but ultimately didn’t deliver: Spiderman 3. I’ve always felt the problem was too many disconnected stories going on – for one, there are THREE bad guys in the film (Goblin Jr, Venom, Sandman). Sandman, although brilliantly executed, always felt like a story running parallel to the rest of the movie. Goblin Jr has been a long time coming, Venom is necessary for Peter Parker to mess things up (for him to face his Dark Side) – but Sandman’s connection is a very tenuous “Oh actually THIS guy killed your uncle”. So, I have removed the Sandman thread entirely, in order to create a tighter movie focused on the three friends (Peter, Harry, MJ) – with Venom as the Dark Side enabler and ultimate villain.
Change List:
A total of 47 video cuts, and many more audio cuts:
Movie is now 90 minutes long, and much tighter, and character-focussed, like the first two movies.
Removed sandman story entirely — story focussed on the three friends (Peter, MJ and Harry)
Venom becomes more central to the plot, and Peter’s descent is more brutal.
Pacing is greatly improved over the original.
Movie now unfolds as follows [cuts in square brackets]:
0:00-10:00 As in movie (Opening credits, everyone loves me, snuggle on the web intro of Venom attaching to Peter’s scooter)
..CUT directly to [intro to Flint Marko, daughter etc]
10:00-17:31 “I’m going to marry MJ”, Fight with Harry, Hospital scene
..FADE into [Police, Marko chase, zapped]
17:31-19:52 Peter waiting in corridor, hospital scene with Harry
..CUT directly to [formation of sandman]
19:52-33:37 Horse speech, crane rescue, Bugle scene, Harry & Pete best buddies, MJ fired, Key to the city (crowd scenes)
..CUT directly to [Marko seen by cops, sand truck]
33:37-35:57 Gwen’s speech & the kiss
..CUT directly to [Spiderman vs Sandman bank truck. Sad to lose the "Where do these guys come from"]
35:57-42:29 Restaurant & the proposal that wasn’t
..CUT directly to [Police reveal Marko. MJ confronts Peter (even Spiderman needs help). Venom takes over, Black suit, Dr Connors lab (MOVED). Killing Marko in sewers. Dark Peter in alley. Peter shouts at Dickovich. Peter takes off Venom (duh!). Peter tells May about Marko's death ]
42:29-48:28 MJ waitress, with Harry
44:06 EDITED Dickovich scene (he makes reference to shouting at him earlier under the influence of the black suit. edited out)
Harry and MJ dancing & kiss & return of Goblin Jr
..CUT directly to [MJ listening to Peter's message about "the other night" â€" as she didn't try to help him re Marko. MJ being attacked MOVED to dream sequence]
48:28-53:55 MJ’s phone call, bridge breakup, Harry’s reveal in Cafe, Peter angry at home
..CROSSFADE to [MOVED from earlier in film]
53:55-56:22 Venom takes over while Peter sleeps.
Dreams EDITED: replaced with b/w of MJ being attacked by Goblin Jr AND removed third sequence (Venom takes over much more quickly)
54:00 first dream replacement
54:30 second dream replacement
54:45 CROSSFADES from Venom taking body to Venom taking face)
Black suited Spiderman
Dr Connors lab
..CROSSFADE to [Splicing earlier scenes back into later ones]
56:22-66:00 Peter vs Brock (not necessary to see Brock’s earlier scene with digital camera (always thought it was crap) anyway a “pro” photographer just taking pictures without even looking through the viewfinder!)
On phone with Dr Connors
Dark Pete on the streets (Jazzy, virile Pete!)
..CUT (video) SLOW FADE (audio) to [MOVED from earlier in film]
60:06-64:07 Fight with Harry
..CUT directly to [Splicing earlier scenes back into later ones]
64:07-75:05 Jazz date with Gwen
Church removal of Venom
Brock becomes Venom
Pete in shower
Pete says to May he’s not good enough (no kidding ... can anyone say “self-obsessed”!)
..CUT to [Sandman and Venom meet]
75:05-77:05 Outside MJ’s apartment
MJ in taxi, Venom
76:30 EDITED news broadcasts ... no mention of Sandman
Red Spiderman returns
..CUT (timed with turning off TV!) to [Awful reporter and message in the web]
77:05-77:44 Harry I need help
77:19 EDITED “I can’t take them both”
..CUT to [NO LAME "motivational" butler scene. What an awful MacGuffin this scene is! I've let the audience assume it's due to friendship with MJ and Peter. If this seems to weak, could put in a montage of friendship scenes from Spidey 1&2]
77:44-85:41 FINAL FIGHT!
MJ in taxi
78:53 edited “they’ll kill us both”
81:10 CUT Sandman
81:30 Added Jameson scene sans dialogue with girl for pacing reasons
81:34 Reveal of Harry and saves Spidey (Problem is why is Spidey covered in sand…! Can’t fix that!)
82:07 MJ falls
Harry & Pete fly up to save her ... cut around sandman (many!)
Scene with MJ and Pete (“Are you OK”)
82:42 CUT to Venom attacking and Harry’s sacrifice
(spliced in some scenes which came later but now not used)
Venom’s death
..CROSSFADE to [Sandman "I had no choice" crap]
85:41-90:00 Harry’s death, funeral, final voice over, reconciliation with MJ
90:00- 95:00 credits (may edit sandman out of credits if I can be bothered!)
Cuts that are a little abrupt have been soften by cueing the next scenes music early ... or even combining the two scenes music to give an audio prep for the cut.
“There are a few changes I made to the DVD, as follows:
Moved fight with Harry back to straight after black suit (cut Dr Connors — phone call has enough exposition)
And date with Gwen after Brock (steals his girl as well!)
Reinserted “i need your help” with Harry
Cut straight from “you came” “Just in time” to MJ scream
Fixed 2 music jumps in flight after MJ
Bigger scream from Venom to make Spidey turn round after convo with MJ and video zoomed in on turn to avoid Spidey standing on his own (the amazing disappearing MJ :grin: )
Made Harry’s jump to save Peter a little less telegraphed (just one edit makes all the difference)
Removed unnecessary crossfade after Venom’s death”
Additional Notes:
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Other Sources:
Special Thanks: