Director James Gunn has brought attention to a mistake in the streaming release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Disney+.
The film, a recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), saw massive box office success and was eagerly anticipated by fans upon its streaming debut. However, the IMAX version’s presentation on the platform raised concerns among both Gunn and fans.
IMAX Format Discrepancy:
Upon the film’s arrival on Disney+, viewers were offered the option to watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in IMAX format. However, this initial offering didn’t accurately represent the intended IMAX experience.
Fans quickly noticed that the IMAX ratio preview was merely a cropped version of the widescreen shot, drawing criticism from audiences and industry professionals alike.
James Gunn’s Perspective:
A fan highlighted the inaccurate preview on the Threads social media platform, leading Gunn to confirm the issue. The director expressed his preference for the traditional widescreen format for home viewing.
Gunn noted that the IMAX version wasn’t just a crop but featured new content at the top and bottom of the screen.
Industry Professionals Weigh In:
Marvel Studios VFX supervisor Stephane Ceretti echoed the concerns, criticizing Disney+ for inaccurate thumbnails and suggesting that the platform had assigned the thumbnail creation to an inexperienced graphic designer. Ceretti emphasized that the IMAX format offers more content at the top and bottom, praising Gunn’s hybrid format approach.
Rectifying the Issue:
Following Gunn and Ceretti’s feedback, Disney+ rectified the problem with the IMAX thumbnail.
The updated thumbnail now accurately showcases the IMAX ratio, displaying the additional content at the top and bottom of the screen.
Debate Over IMAX Versions:
This incident highlights the ongoing debate about offering IMAX versions of MCU films on streaming platforms. Gunn’s revelation about his intentional aspect ratio changes and his preference for the widescreen format raised questions about the authenticity of the IMAX experience.
Other directors, such as Scott Derrickson, have expressed similar concerns about their films’ aspect ratios not being faithfully represented in the home viewing setting.
As Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 joins other MCU films with IMAX options on Disney+, the platform’s efforts to provide unique viewing experiences are met with both enthusiasm and criticism.
The incident underscores the importance of accurately representing filmmakers’ intentions, sparking conversations about how best to offer IMAX versions of films in a way that respects their original creative visions.