I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m very glad that the alternate beginning and ending were not final cuts in the movie.
While they were very good and interesting, it gave on the vibe that Agent Hill thought that the Avengers were just a joke or a dream. Whereas, in the movie, she was skeptical just as everyone else was; even Fury.
Long story short, I don’t think those scenes would have added anything ridiculously important, and I guess the crew thought so too. However, I’m very glad that they have become available for us to see!
BUT. I found the scene with Steve Rogers to be really great and good insight into his character of TODAY. And how he is coping with TODAY. I WISH THEY LEFT IT IN. IT WAS SO NICE AND WELL DONE AND YET SO SAD.

(via josephlordongevitt)

GUYS THIS IS UNSETTLING
AND NOT IN THE MOVIE
WHY WASN’T THIS IN THE MOVIE
I completely forgot that they alluded to Captain America in Iron Man II
But I’m loving it. Coulson finds a very Cap-like shield in Tony’s workroom and looks like he’s thinking “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS.”

Then Tony uses it to level one of his machines

And Coulson is just like

“STEVE NO WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU DISRESPECT LIKE THAT”
A presentation for my best friend who needs to know the basics before we see The Avengers