[SPOILERS for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ahead.]
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When comparing The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to other superhero blockbusters released so far this year, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past, most fans would agree you get a film that doesn't live up to its full potential. Tasked with continuing Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy's story as well as setting up future films in the franchise like Sinister Six, the sequel to the 2012 reboot seems to have bitten off more than it could chew. Arguably, extra plot lines and characters led to a lack of focus in the overall narrative.
Yet it's said that movies don't start off this way, they just sometimes head down that road despite the best of intentions. Until now, the DVD/Blu-Ray releasing next month and featuring 13 deleted scenes was the best place to look for director Marc Webb's original plan. Because in August fans can hopefully expect to see more character development for Electro and Green Goblin, more of the Peter/Gwen story arc and a scene titled “Peter Meets His Father.” This is especially important since a petition for a director's cut has so far gone unanswered.
However, the next best place to look for what a film could have been is the script. Luckily, Badass Digest has gotten their hands on an early draft by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. While some of the film's problematic elements still remain intact, there are also 10 big changes that took place from script to screen:
Mary Jane
MJ's scenes were famously filmed by Shailene Woodley, but then ended up on the cutting room floor. In the script, she's introduced as Peter's next door neighbor whose dad is an abusive drunk. She builds motorcycles in her spare time, really likes Peter and is generally just an all around cool girl. Most importantly though, MJ meets Gwen at Peter's house when he's out and asks her for advice to get a guy like Peter. Gwen's response, "Date a nerd." Basically, it's a passing of the torch.
Electro's Mom
In the script, Max Dillon gets a bit more character development. He lives at home with his wheelchair-bound mom, who isn't bothered in the slightest when he 'dies' in the accident that gives him powers. Instead, he returns home to find his mom standing up and receiving a payout from Oscorp. He gets angry and uses his powers, leading to the big confrontation at Times Square.
J Jonah Jameson
Editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, where Peter ends up working, Jameson is sent Peter's first pictures of Spider-Man. As a result, Peter gets a tour of the Daily Bugle courtesy of the man himself, setting up his future at the company. Later, Spider-Man and Electro's first fight sends them crashing through the offices.
Peter's Blood
A big change from the film. In the script, Peter actually gives his blood to Harry Osborn, instead of his friend injecting himself with spider venom. Also, the Goblin suit was built in secret for Norman Osborn and not for military use like in the movie. After Peter's father refuses to give over his blood, the suit goes to Norman's boathouse until Harry finds it.
Dr. Kafka and Electro's Escape
Dr. Kafka, a man who tortures Electro at the Ravenscroft Institute, is actually a woman in both the comic and original script. When Electro breaks himself out, he goes to kill Harry Osborn at Norman Osborn's grave. Then after he sees Harry is now the Goblin, the two decide to team up.
One Year Later
It's established in the script that an entire year has passed between high school graduation and present day. Peter and Gwen are now college students. This makes more sense when you take into account Peter's reactions toward Gwen at the beginning and the fact Gwen hasn't suddenly decided to apply to Oxford.
Dr. Ratha
He was killed in deleted scenes of The Amazing Spider-Man but actually managed to live on in that film's theatrical release. The character returns here in the sequel as the employee at Oscorp who plans Harry's dismissal from the company. It's the same character doing the same actions from the final version, just with a different name. It could have provided a nice sense of continuity from the first film to this one.
Little Spider-Man
One of the most memorable part of the movie is Spider-Man helping little kid who gets picked on by bullies. Yet that kid isn't in the script and neither is his sequence at the end with Rhino. In fact, Rhino is barely a cameo in the script himself.
The Death of Gwen Stacy
This change in the script could change the tone of the whole ending. Gwen doesn't die instantly but lives long enough to tell Peter to never give up. Of course, Peter doesn't listen and quits being Spider-Man. It hurts much more that Peter doesn't even grant Gwen her final dying wish.
With Great Power...
In the film, Peter finds a tape of Gwen reciting her graduation speech, convincing him to become Spider-Man again. In the script, it's actually his father Richard Parker who resurfaces and tells Peter he's been watching him for years and knows everything he's done. He convinces his son to go back to being Spider-Man, quoting that (in)famous line, "With great power comes great responsibility."
So what do you think? Which of these changes would you undo? Could The Amazing Spider-Man 2 have been better if they'd stuck to the original script?
Source: Badass Digest