We’ve known for some time that there will be a slightly different version of ‘Iron Man 3’ playing in China. The alternate cut largely remains a mystery at this point to the rest of the world, but at a recent press junket, director Shane Black and writer Drew Pearce shed some light on Chinese exclusive of the film.

According to /Film, Black started by joking that a giant dragon was cut out of the film, but he went on to talk seriously about the changes:

“The Chinese version will have an interesting surprise. We do know that there’s additional footage that will be available in that version, which I’m sure will filter back here.”

Pearce went on to say that he’s unsure about what they’re allowed to say:

“I think Marvel would like to keep an element of surprise by that, so when the inevitable versions of it feed back to us, you’ll see exactly what it involved, but for the moment I don’t think we’re allowed to talk about it.”

Before closing the door on the topic, Black revealed that he wasn’t very involved in the other cut:

“There was the idea of a Chinese version where it would entail additional footage that I was asked to look at and approve. I was busy doing the American version while we were simultaneously obtaining footage for the Chinese version, so I got a sense of what was going on. I was asked to look at and had a chance later to approve the footage, so now you’ve got these two versions. I’m just thrilled that we got the opportunity to work with what is one of the single fastest emerging box office environments in the world, which is China, where they build theaters so quickly now.”

Unlike a number of countries in the world right now, China will be getting the first film in Phase Two on the same date as us here in North America. By the time the first screening of the movie shows over there, I’m sure we’ll have an idea of what’s different and what stayed the same, so keep an eye on the reports as the release gets closer and closer.

‘Iron Man 3’ starring Robert Downey Jr., Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall, and Guy Pearce opens on May 3, 2013.