Marvel has issued a statement which explains that an exclusive version of Iron Man 3 will be released in China with additional footage which won’t be included in the film’s Hollywood release.

Two different versions of Iron Man 3? That’s what Marvel has decided on for its next blockbuster with Chinese co-production partner DMG. According to the statement released below, the film will have alternate scenes included in the Chinese version of Iron Man 3 which will include China’s “top actress” Fan Bingbing, actor Wang Xueqi, and some “additional footage” specifically prepared for the film’s Chinese audience. Check out the press release below thanks to Deadline:

Marvel Studios and DMG announced that a Chinese version of Iron Man 3 will be released in China on a date to be announced in the near future. DMG, a Chinese media and entertainment company, collaborated with Marvel Studios on the Chinese elements in the film, and is marketing and distributing the film in China. While Marvel and DMG have decided not to apply for co-production status in China, the film includes significant Chinese elements. Renowned Chinese actor Wang Xueqi will appear in both the studio’s Chinese version of the film and in its international and domestic US version. Both versions of the film include Iron Man 3 footage filmed in Beijing in December. The Chinese version of the film will also feature a special appearance of China’s top actress, Fan Bingbing, and will offer specially prepared bonus footage made exclusively for the Chinese audience. Marvel Studios’ experience working on this film with Fan Bingbing and Wang Xueqi and in shooting in China has been very positive and has created a springboard for future collaboration with China’s talented stars and its growing film and television industry. The Iron Man cast and filmmakers look forward to bringing Iron Man back to China.

Interested to see what footage will be added to the Chinese version of ‘Iron Man 3’?

This may seem strange to moviegoers, especially for those that haven’t been following the film closely, but Iron Man 3 was funded partially by a Chinese based production company called DMG and some of Iron Man 3 was also filmed in Beijing a few months back. Due to the partnership that has produced this film, Marvel and DMG feel that the Chinese audience will appreciate some additional footage and what we assume will be more screen time for their top actress, Fan Bingbing.

We’re curious to see how this will change the film, if at all, but more importantly if a precedent will be set for the co-production and funding of large films such as Iron Man 3 and whether we’ll start seeing changes to other films in the future which are partially funded by companies outside of the US. With the foreign box office becoming more and more vital to the success of big-budget films, we imagine this is just the start of what’s to come.

Just for reference, The Avengers made $623 million at the U.S. box office, but it made $888 million at the foreign box office. The foreign box office continues to bring in the majority of the box office numbers for these massive blockbusters and this will continue to be the case as studios start taking on production partners that exist outside the states.

Iron Man 3 is only a little over a month away now from its May 3 U.S. release date. It will be released in international theaters a week earlier on April 26.