Site created 12/15/97.		page updated: 1/18/06 Rumor Mill (Archived Posts 7/28/05 - 10/1/04) Back to Previous Archives Back to Current Posts 7/28/05 Okay... a quick follow-up on yesterday's Batman news. We've confirmed with sources in the know that the new 2-disc Batman Forever DVD will NOT include a new director's cut as previously rumored. It was apparently something that was considered, but we're told it ultimately didn't happen. Just FYI. We've also been told by our sources that Warner's The Dukes of Hazzard remake will likely street before the end of 2005, in two versions - the PG-13 theatrical cut and a racier R-rated edition. Also, we're hearing that the DVD release of New Line's Wedding Crashers is likely going to get pushed into the first quarter of 2006. Finally, Ultimate Disney is reporting that a promotional booklet inside Disney's new The Muppets' Wizard of Oz DVD indicates that the studio will re-issue four of the Muppet feature films (remastered) on DVD in November, including the original Muppet Movie. 7/27/05 We haven't confirmed all of the information you're about to receive, so treat the following appropriately. BUT... the Batman on Film website is reporting that Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin will be released on 10/18 as new 2-disc sets. That's the same day as our own sources indicate the recent Batman Begins will be released (and our sources have confirmed the 10/18 date for the other Batman films as well). All four titles will reportedly also be available on that day in a box set called Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997. Each 2-disc set will feature a new anamorphic widescreen transfer of the film, along with new director commentaries by Joel Schumacher and Tim Burton, cast and crew interviews, several new documentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes, music videos from Prince, Seal and the Smashing Pumpkins, trailers, TV spots, vintage footage, etc. There's also word that Schumacher has created a new, 150-minute director's cut of Batman Forever, and that both the original cut and the new cut will be included on the DVD via seamless branching. Thanks to Bits reader Seth C. for the heads-up. Also, Bits reader Andrew X. sent in this report via e-mail: My wife was asked to take a survey today from a marketing company. The questions were VERY Charlie and the Chocolate Factory oriented. Here's the one that got my attention: "In addition to the regular DVD of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a special 2- disc version of the movie will be coming out at the same time. This 2-disc version will include additional special features not included with the regular DVD, including behind-the-scenes footage, movie commentary, a BBC special on the life of Roald Dahl, and a demo of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory videogame." FYI, our sources are telling us to watch for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to street on tentatively on 11/8. Again, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt until we get official confirmation from Warner Home Video. 7/22/05 Okay, we've checked in with our industry and retail sources, and have obtained what we believe will be the official street dates for a number of upcoming DVD releases for the end of 2005. Look for 20th Century Fox's 2-disc Kingdom of Heaven to be released on 10/11. Lucasfilm and Fox will release Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith on 11/1. They'll also release Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume 2 on 12/6. Warner Home Video will debut Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants on 10/11, with Batman Begins following on 10/18. Also, look for the new Batman live action special editions (all four films) to be released on 10/18 as well. Finally, Sony will release MGM's remake of The Amityville Horror on 10/4. Watch for official announcements on these titles to be made soon. 7/5/05 We've checked in with our retail and industry sources and have learned that Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox are currently planning to announce the DVD release of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith as early as next week. With any luck, we'll get final cover art and complete disc specs as part of the announcement. Our information is that the title is expected to street on either 11/1 or 11/8, in separate full frame and anamorphic widescreen editions. We MAY also learn about the future box set release of the complete 6-film saga. In other news, Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven is tentatively slated for release during the first or second week or October as a 2-disc set. We hope to have more details on that soon as well. And here's a bit of good news... the long awaited Office Space: Special Edition is shaping up for release in early November. Stay tuned... 6/13/05 We've just heard from our sources that Universal is going to be announcing the release of Battlestar Galactica: The Complete First Season very soon. This is Ron Moore's new SciFi Channel version, FYI, which is already available on DVD in the U.K. (the series' second season debuts here in the States on The SciFi Channel on 7/15, followed by the U.K. debut in October on Sky One). We'll post all the official details as soon as they're available. Rest assured you won't have long to wait. Also today, our sources have checked in with some tentative street dates for major upcoming titles. Touchstone's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is currently expected to arrive on 9/13. If all goes well, look for Fox's Kingdom of Heaven to street on 10/11. And Warner's House of Wax remake should hit store shelves on 10/18. And for you Star Trek fans, look for the 2-disc Star Trek: Nemesis - Special Collector's Edition on 10/4. As many of you know, Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season is currently due on 7/26. Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Third Season is officially slated for 9/20 (that's confirmed). Rounding out the series' release, Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Fourth Season should arrive on 11/1. Also... and this is something of a surprise... our sources are currently telling us that Star Trek: The Complete Animated Series is tentatively planned for DVD release in September (on 9/6). There will also be a new Star Trek: The Motion Pictures DVD Collection box set on 10/4, along with a 4-season Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Series set on 11/1. Keep in mind, the above (particularly the Star Trek: Animated Series information) is tentative unless otherwise noted and until it's officially announced by the studio. We've heard that The Animated Series was coming to DVD so many times now, only to have it delayed, that I'll believe it when I see it. Still, this comes from a very good source, so cross your fingers. One other bit of Star Trek information for you: According to the Best Buy website, the exclusive Best Buy/Musicland Group bonus disc for Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season will include the Shooting Future Tense featurette, that provides "a behind-the-scenes look at several scenes from one day's filming. It shows the cast rehearsing on the bridge and other sets, as well as the director of photography Marvin Rush prepping a difficult shoot." Stay tuned... 6/10/05 Fox will very soon announce a pair of long-awaited DVD releases - The Fly: Special Edition (1986) and The Fly II: Special Edition (1989) - each a 2-disc set expected to street on 9/27 (SRP $25.98 each). The Fly: Special Edition will feature the film in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen video with both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio. Extras will include audio commentary by director David Cronenberg, the Fear of the Flesh: The Making of The Fly documentary (broken into Fear of the Flesh: Larva, Fear of the Flesh: Pupa and Fear of the Flesh: Metamorphosis featurettes), 4 deleted/alternate scenes (Second Interview, Monkey-Cat, Brundlefly vs. Bag Lady and Butterfly Baby/Alternate ending), test footage videos (Main Title Elements, Telepod Tests, Make-Up Tests, The Exploding Head and Cronenfly), 15 featurette clips available via an optional branching mode while watching the film (including A Radical Departure, The Rise of Marketing, Who Wants to Die?, All You Have to Do is Be Passionate, Cronenberg's Preparation, On Cronenberg's Films, Cronenberg as Gynecologist, Cronenberg as Director, On the Cannes Jury, The Mother of Invention, It Takes Time to Spread the Goop, Glass-Break Test, Scotch & Razor Blades, Genes in the Ether, Winning the Oscar, The Last Collaboration, Haunted by the Fly and The Brundle Museum of Natural History), a number of interactive written texts (including George Langelaan's original short story, Charles Edward Pogue's original screenplay, David Cronenberg's rewrite, the Cinefex article The Fly Papers and the American Cinematographer articles New Buzz on an Old Theme and More About The Fly), a gallery of poster and lobby cart art, a gallery of production photos and concept art, 9 trailers and TV spots, the David Cronenberg Profile featurette, 2 Easter eggs (Halloweener and Vomit Drop) and a look at genre films from the Summer of 1986 (including Big Trouble in Little China and Aliens, as well as The Fly). The Fly II: Special Edition will also feature the film in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen video with both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio, along with audio commentary by director Chris Walas and film historian/archivist Bob Burns, a deleted scene (Stopping for Food) and an alternate ending (Houseboat Scene), 2 documentaries (including The Fly Papers: The Buzz on Hollywood's Scariest Insect and Transformations: Looking Back at The Fly II), the CWI Video Production Journal featurette, the Composer's Master Class: Christopher Young featurette, the original theatrical EPK featurette, storyboard-to-film comparisons of 3 scenes (with optional commentary by director Chris Walas), a production photo gallery, The Art of The Fly II gallery, a storyboard gallery, 2 trailers for The Fly II and trailers for The Fly (1989), The Fly (1958), Return of the Fly (1958), Alien and The Omen. Stay tuned... 6/8/05 We've checked in with our retail sources, and have been told that Lucasfilm tentatively plans to debut Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith on DVD on 11/1. This would seem to be corroborated by a report from The Force.net today that indicates an 11/1 DVD release for Episode III, along with a new 3-title box set of the prequel trilogy and a 6-title box set of the complete saga. We can't confirm the box set information at the moment, so take all of the above with a grain of salt until official announcements are made. Our retail sources have also given us tentative street dates for Fox's Fever Pitch (7/12) and Universal's The Interpreter (10/4). Speaking of Fox, our industry sources have given us some new information on a few titles currently in the works at the studio. First up, Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven is tentatively set for release in early Fall (think September or October) as a 2-disc theatrical edition. There's also the possibility of a more elaborate 3 or 4-disc edition to follow in 2006, that would feature a longer cut of the film. You'll be glad to know that the long-awaited Office Space: Special Edition is currently slated for release in the 4th Qtr of this year. Aliens vs. Predator is also being given more elaborate special edition treatment at the studio, and you can likely expect an official announcement on that in the next month or two. And on the TV front, while there's still no movement on the classic Batman TV series, Space Above and Beyond is finally on the radar for DVD release in late 2005 or 2006. Back to Universal for a moment... you'll be pleased to know that the studio is currently working on a more elaborate DVD special edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, which you can expect to street sometime in September. This information was confirmed by studio sources at a Los Angeles Public Library event (held last Thursday) to honor Mockingbird author Harper Lee. In attendance at the event in addition to Lee were Veronique Peck, the widow of actor Gregory Peck (who played Atticus Finch in the classic film version), and actor Brock Peters (who co-starred as Tom Robinson in the film). Stay tuned... 6/2/05 As we reported in the last Rumor Mill update, our sources have informed us that Paramount's classic War of the Worlds: Special Collector's Edition is tentatively expected to street on 11/1. The title had originally been set for a Summer 2005 release, but we've learned that director Steven Spielberg asked for it to be delayed until AFTER his re-imagined War of the Worlds arrived in theaters (on 6/27). Presumably, you can expect the revised street date to coincide with the DVD release of Spielberg's version of the alien invasion epic. Also, our sources have told us that Russell Crowe has just completed recording audio commentary for DreamWorks' forthcoming Gladiator: Extended Edition (due 8/23). This would, to our knowledge, mark the first time Crowe has participated in an audio commentary for DVD. Should be an interesting listen. Strength and honor, baby... Stay tuned. 5/25/05 We've gotten some new information from our industry sources on street dates for some big upcoming Paramount titles - both new and classic Special Collector's Editions. The Tommy Boy: Holy Schnike Special Collector's Edition is tentatively set for 8/3. Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds' new The Longest Yard remake is expected on 9/20. The Warriors: Special Collector's Edition will arrive on 10/4. Mike Epps and Cedric the Entertainer's soon-to-open version of the The Honeymooners is tentatively expected on 10/18. We've been told to look for the new 2-disc and 4-disc versions of the Titanic: Special Collector's Edition on 10/18 as well (you can read more about these DVDs here, from our coverage of the announcement event with director James Cameron back in early March). The War of the Worlds: Special Collector's Edition will arrive on 11/1. That's the original classic film, not the new Spielberg flick, although you can probably expect the new film on disc about that same time as well. A pair of new-to-DVD Diana Ross films, Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany, will arrive on 11/8. Finally, 11/15 will see the release of an Airplane: Don't Call Me Shirley Special Collector's Edition. Remember, all these street dates are to be considered tentative until officially announced by the studio (and they could still shift around a little between now and then). By the way, we've learned that Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Special Editions, which had very tentatively been planned for release in August, have been delayed until later in the year. Stay tuned! 5/10/05 This is VERY early information, so take it with a grain of salt. But several of our video retail sources are indicating to us that 20th Century Fox has tentatively set Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven for DVD release on 10/11, with Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith tentatively due on 11/8 (a worldwide release on the same day). The 11/8 date for Episode III has been corroborated with multiple independent retailer sources. It also jives with the Burger King watch promotion details that leaked on 5/2 (see this post below). Again, however, I'd like to stress that none of this is official until announced by the studio (and Lucasfilm in the case of Episode III). It's possible that these dates will shift before they're made public (as they often do). What we DO know about Episode III is that Lucas himself has confirmed (to MTV.com) that the film will be available on DVD in time for this Christmas, that the disc will include 5-6 deleted scenes, and that a 6-film box set will be available at some point in the future. Stay tuned... 5/5/05 Our friends over at DVD Answers have gleaned a few details on the extras you can expect to find on Paramount's forthcoming Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season. The 7-disc set, currently due to street on 7/26, will feature all 26 episodes in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 audio. Extras will reportedly include audio commentary by writer/producers Michael Sussman and Phyllis Strong on at least one episode, additional text commentaries on several episodes by Michael and Denise Okuda, at least 5 behind-the-scenes featurettes (including Enterprise Moments: Season Two, Enterprise Profile: Jolene Blalock, LeVar Burton: Star Trek Director, Enterprise Secrets and Inside A Night in Sickbay), plus additional deleted scenes, outtakes and Easter eggs. We're working to confirm these specs with the studio (we'll let you know when we do). Stay tuned... 5/2/05 As many of you already know, leaks from the recent Celebration III convention (some from George Lucas himself) have indicated that Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith will be released on DVD before the end of the year, and also that a new DVD box set of the entire Star Wars saga is in the works, possibly with a new bonus disc containing deleted scenes from the original trilogy films. We can't speak for the box set, but it's looking very much like Episode III will be available on DVD by November. The Rebel Scum fan site has posted scans of a sales flyer touting a Burger King "Destiny Watches" promotion set to kick off on November 7th. According to text on the flyer, the promotion is timed "to celebrate the complete Star Wars saga with the DVD release of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." Could the DVD release be tentatively set for Tuesday, November 8th? Possibly. In any case, you can reasonably expect the DVD to hit store shelves in the September to mid-November time frame, so as to make the most of the holiday shopping season. We'll keep you up to date as we learn more. Thanks to Bits reader Douglas M. for the link. Stay tuned... 4/12/05 We've got some good news for you today... and then some good news/bad news as well. Let's start with the good news first, shall we? As we've reported in The Rumor Mill previously, DreamWorks is currently in production on a new 3-disc Gladiator: Extended Edition DVD for release later this year. An early spec list for the project has leaked from European sources, and the always excellent DVD Answers website has posted it. This spec list is as follows: Disc One - Widescreen Extended Edition of the Film, with 17 Minutes Additional Footage, Original Theatrical Cut of the Film, Introduction to Extended Cut by Director Ridley Scott, An "Are You Not Entertained?" Trivia track with Historical References etc, Deleted Footage Marker (guide to help identify the newly restored footage) Disc Two - Strength and Honor: Creating the World of Gladiator documentary (200 Mins), Tale of the Scribes: Crafting the story, The Tools of War: Weapons and vehicles, Attire of the Realm: Costume Design, The Heat of Battle: 3 Production Journal Featurettes, Resurrecting Proximo: Digitally Salvaged Scenes with actor Oliver Reed, The Glory of Rome: Oscar-winning Visual Effects, Echoes in Eternity: The film's release and global impact Disc Three - Production Design Primer and Gallery, Storyboard Demonstrations and Comparisons, Abandoned Sequences, Ridleygrams: Ridley Scott's own sketches, Costume Design Gallery, Photo Galleries, Deleted Scenes, Letters From the Front: Authentic memos on the challenges of production, Commodus Screen Test (Joaquin Phoenix), Visual Effects Explorations, An Evening with Russell Crowe and much more We've checked with our sources and learned that, because this title is still in production, this list isn't entirely correct (although the final release should be very close to this). For one thing, the 3 hour and 20 minute Strength and Honor: Creating the World of Gladiator documentary takes up virtually the entire second disc in the set. The other "extras" you see listed under this on Disc Two are actually the titles of chapters of the documentary, some of which have changed since this list was issued. We've learned that a couple of the special features listed were from an early disc proposal and are not part of this set, while you should also expect a few additional special features not yet revealed. Finally, we've learned that there will be no DTS track, owing to the disc space demands of including two versions of the film on a single DVD disc via seamless branching, while still keeping the presentation quality high (an unfortunate but understandable sacrifice that will nevertheless likely be a sticking point with some fans). We'll update you as things become more finalized on this release. Look for an announcement from DreamWorks and Universal on this title sometime in the next few months, along with final disc specs and the official release date. Now, here's that good news/bad news. Leaks out of MGM in Europe have revealed that the studio will release a trio of long-awaited 2-disc Sergio Leone special edition DVDs in the U.K. on 4/18. These include A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and A Fistful of Dynamite. We've checked with our sources and learned that these same special editions HAD tentatively been scheduled to street from MGM here in the States in December. Do you sense a BUT coming? You're right. BUT... now that Sony is busy gobbling up MGM Home Entertainment, any decision to release these special editions in the U.S. is going to have to be made by them. Eventually. In other words, these DVDs have been caught in the thick of the merger, and there's a fair possibility that it's going to be a while before we see them here. We're checking with Sony to see what they say... but we'd be surprised if they commented at this point. We'll let you know in any case. In the meantime, click here to see R2 cover and the outstanding list of extras for these discs at the A Fistful of Westerns website. Thanks to Bits reader Matt C. for the link. Stay tuned... 4/8/05 It occurred to us that we hadn't updated The Rumor Mill in a couple of months, so we thought we'd give you a new post today. And it's a good one we think. Our retail sources are telling us to expect Warner's Best Picture-winning Million Dollar Baby to street on 6/28. We're also hearing that the studio will release Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous on 6/21, with The Jacket (staring Adrien Brody) following a month later on 7/21. Watch for the studio to begin making official announcements soon. Stay tuned... 2/24/05 Here's some cool information from our industry sources on great DVD titles currently being worked on (or planned) by the folks at 20th Century Fox. The first title we should mention is the one we get the most requests for by far - the long-awaited Office Space: Special Edition. It's currently in production, and is being actively worked on by director Mike Judge. Look for it sometime later in 2005. There's also work being done on a special edition of David Cronenberg's The Fly. With any luck, it'll be ready in time to be a Halloween release. You Denzel fans will be thrilled to learn that Tony Scott's Man on Fire has being given 2-disc special edition treatment. It's tentatively planned for release around Father's Day (so watch for an announcement soon). Expect this to be a great SE, complete with an alternate ending and a version of the film that's some 20 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. A lot of you have asked about a more elaborate edition of Alien Vs. Predator. It's not on the radar at the moment, but that could change depending on how well the current DVD version sells. There is a 2-disc "extreme" edition currently available in the U.K., but it doesn't include any of the unrated material. A lot of you have also been asking about the Mel Brooks promotion that Fox had planned for March (High Anxiety was among the titles expected). As we mentioned the other day, this has been delayed indefinitely. The reason apparently is that Fox wants to really give these films the attention they deserve on DVD. Special editions are planned, they're just going to take some time to realize. No movement yet on the classic Batman TV series, which is still tied up legally with Warner and D.C. Comics. Likewise, there's been no work started yet on the Space Above And Beyond TV series, although the current plan is to try to get this out in early 2006. Finally today, let's talk about the BIG Fox title you probably want to know about. No, not Episode III (although you can likely expect that to hit DVD in time for the holidays). We're talking about James Cameron's Titanic. Our industry sources have confirmed that a SERIOUS special edition is currently being worked on by Fox. You can expect it to follow a similar pattern to New Line's Lord of the Rings films on DVD - a 2-disc version and a more elaborate 4-disc edition. Both will feature a sparkling new anamorphic widescreen transfer of the film. Among the many extras you can expect are lots of deleted scenes and tons of "behind-the-scenes" material. Watch for it to be announced later this year for release in the 4th Quarter. As expected, it'll be released by Paramount here in the States, and Fox internationally. I'd say that's about enough for one day, wouldn't you? Stay tuned... 2/18/05 Some new street dates from our sources: Best Picture front runner The Aviator is expected to be announced by Miramax for DVD release on 5/24. Look for Universal to release the recent remake of Assault on Precinct 13 on 5/10. Lions Gate's Alone in the Dark should arrive on disc on 5/10 as well. Finally, we're expecting Paramount's War of the Worlds: Special Collector's Edition on 6/14. Stay tuned... 2/10/05 We've got lots more information from our industry sources for you. Today's post focuses on some of Paramount's upcoming titles. First up, the studio is expected to release Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events on 4/26. We're told the DVDs (yes, plural) are expected to include some of the best special features Paramount has yet produced for the format. Meanwhile, Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Team America: World Police will arrive in mid-to-late May, and will include all of the uncut, unrated footage you've been wanting to see. That's right... we said ALL of it. Those faint of heart need not apply. Paramount will also release The Godfather, Part II and The Godfather, Part III as stand-alone titles in May. We're waiting to see if these contain any new features (other than those that were previously included in The Godfather DVD Collection box set). New special collector's editions of Islands in the Sky and The High & the Mighty should arrive on disc in June, and you can expect a new collector's edition of the classic War of the Worlds this summer as well (timed to take advantage of the hype over Steven Spielberg's forthcoming remake). Here's a big title a lot of you have been waiting for. In fact, one might even call it a titanic title. Yes... we've confirmed with our industry sources that a multi-disc Titanic: Special Collector's Edition is finally in production (and yes, with anamorphic widescreen video). Fox will release it internationally, while Paramount will release it here in the States. According to our sources, the tentative plan calls for having it on store shelves in the 4th Qtr of this year. IF that's the case, we believe that Paramount and Fox would have to make official announcements sometime in the next few months. Stay tuned for more on this as it develops. Finally today, there's been a lot of talk in the last couple of days regarding Star Trek: The Animated Series. Last June, our industry sources began hinting that The Animated Series might finally be released on DVD this year, concurrent with the recently announced release of Star Trek: Enterprise on DVD. Our sources are now telling us that the DVD release of The Animated Series has been pushed back to 2006. We've confirmed that it's definitely still planned, but it's now unlikely to arrive this year. Which is fine with most of you fans I'm sure. One Trek series on DVD a year is more than expensive enough. ;-) Okay... a bit more for you. How about news on a Universal title? Word is that In Good Company will street on 4/26. Stay tuned... 2/9/05 We have a couple more expected street dates for you today from our industry sources. 20th Century Fox is said to have picked 4/5 as the day its Sideways will arrive in stores. Also, Warner has tentatively set Racing Stripes for release on 4/26. Finally, our sources are telling is that Miramax's forthcoming special editions of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films are tentatively due in August. We'll post more as it comes in. Stay tuned... 2/8/05 Our industry sources have informed us that Universal is currently working on a Flash Gordon: Special Edition for release on DVD later this year, in honor of the film's 25th anniversary. This would certainly make sense given that the studio has just announced the release of the long-awaited Dune: Extended Edition. We've certainly been dying for a better edition of Flash on DVD here at The Bits for quite a while now (the title was previously released in the U.S. as a non-anamorphic, movie-only DVD from Image Entertainment, but that edition is now out of print). Also today, we have word that DreamWorks is currently in production on a new DVD special edition of Ridley Scott's Gladiator, that will feature all new extras (different than what was featured on the previous release) and possibly an extended version of the film itself. Also, sources in the House of the Mouse are telling us to expect Buena Vista's announcement of Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on DVD in the next 2-3 weeks. There's another title we're really excited about around here. You can be sure that we'll post more on these titles as the details come in. Stay tuned... 2/1/05 We thought we'd check in with a little more street date info from our industry sources... Columbia TriStar's House of Flying Daggers is still expected to street on 3/29. Watch for an announcement in the next couple of weeks. The Best Picture nominated Sideways is also anticipated for release by 20th Century Fox on 3/29. Universal's Meet the Fockers is expected to arrive in stores on 4/19. Finally, sources say Paramount's Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events will arrive on DVD on 4/26 (we do have tentative confirmation of this one by the studio). Stay tuned... 1/26/05 Anyone out there interested in what our friends at MGM are cooking up for up in the coming months? Well, check this out... May should see the release of a 2-disc Spaceballs: Collector's Edition (on 5/3 to be exact), complete with DTS surround sound. Dance with Me Henry, Noose Hangs High, I'll Take Sweden and The Princess & the Pirate are all expected to arrive on 5/17. Also tentatively set for that date are the original The Thomas Crown Affair (with a new transfer), a Steve McQueen Box Set (including The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven, Junior Bonner and The Thomas Crown Affair), Throw Momma from the Train (also with a new transfer) and a batch of new westerns, including Escort West, Hour of the Gun, The Hunting Party, Invitation to a Gunfighter, More Dead Than Alive, Sam Whisky and Scalphunters. June is expected to include a number of Peter Sellers titles, among them The Blockhouse, Never Let Go, What's New Pussycat and The Naked Truth (a.k.a. Your Past is Showing). You should also get more New Outer Limits episode compilations, including Bizarre Aliens, Fantastic Androids and Robots, Death and Beyond and Mutation and Transformation. Looking farther down the line, Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It is on the way, as is a a 3-disc Bill & Ted's Excellent Box Set containing both films plus a bonus disc. Other great titles you can tentatively expect in 2005 include a Midnight Cowboy: 35th Anniversary Collector's Edition, Journey to the Center of the Earth and a Pink Panther Classic Cartoons Giftset. We don't have any details on extras for these titles, so you know as much as we do at the moment. Do keep in mind that nothing is official until MGM announces it. Stay tuned... 1/21/05 A number of reports have been circulating around the Net in the last couple of days, regarding those updated Batman special edition DVDs that Warner's been working on. Both Dark Horizons and Batman on Film have posted some interesting details on this. Reportedly, director Tim Burton re-recorded his audio commentary tracks for Batman and Batman Returns with a "special guest." Extras are expected to include trailers, TV spots, vintage footage, new featurettes and a feature-length documentary (for Batman). Joel Schumacher has also apparently recorded new commentary for Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, and is reportedly working on a new, 150-minute extended cut of Forever to be included on the DVD via seamless branching. At least the original Batman is expected to street in May (just prior to the release of Batman Begins in theaters) and a box set of all four films is planned for October or November. Also today, a number of European DVD websites are reporting that Warner will release the following titles as 2-disc special editions in Germany (and elsewhere in Europe) on 4/8: Bullitt, The Getaway, Logan’s Run, East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause, The Big Red One, Batman, Batman Returns and Mad Max 2. That means, of course, that fans in other areas of the world (including the U.S.) can likely expect those titles as well in the months ahead. Finally today, Play.com in the U.K. has posted details of an Alien Vs. Predator: Special Extreme Edition that's set to street there on 3/7 from Fox. The 2-disc set will reportedly include a number of new supplemental materials not available on the single-disc edition. There's no word yet on a U.S. release, but we suspect it's coming soon. Stay tuned... 1/19/05 Here's some updated information as to street dates for a few major upcoming DVDs... USA Today's Mike Snider (via Yahoo) is confirming reports that Disney and Pixar's The Incredibles will street on DVD on 3/15 (SRP $29.99). Our own industry sources tell us to expect filmmaker audio commentaries, an all-new Jack-Jack Attack animated short, the Boundin' animated short, bloopers and outtakes, deleted scenes and an alternate opening, "top secret files" on all the superhero characters, a behind-the-scenes documentary and much more. We've gotten updated information from retail sources that 20th Century Fox's re-made Flight of the Phoenix will street on 3/1 (SRP $29.98 - we had previously heard 5/3 was the street). The DVD is expected to be available in separate anamorphic widescreen and full frame editions, with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio, filmmaker commentary by John Moore, John Davis, Wyck Godfrey and Patrick Lumb, the 45-minute Phoenix Diaries documentary, deleted and extended scenes and the theatrical trailer. Retail sources are also telling us that 20th Century Fox has tentatively set its live action Fat Albert for release on DVD on 3/22 (SRP $29.98). Finally, Columbia TriStar is getting ready to announce a pair of great titles of its own... Closer and House of Flying Daggers, both of which are expected to street on 3/29 (SRP $28.99 each). Stay tuned... 1/12/05 Okay Trek fans... we know you've been waiting for this a while now. Our industry sources have checked in with the very first details on some of what you can expect from Star Trek: Enterprise - Season One on DVD! I want to stress that this is unofficial information - none of this should be considered confirmed until Paramount announces it officially. But... our sources are telling us that the multi-disc set (which is tentatively set to street in early May) will include deleted scenes, some 9 minutes of outtakes, and something called Enterprise Secrets, which we suspect are similar to the Red Shirt Diaries Easter egg featurettes from The Original Series DVDs (the Deep Space Nine and Voyager DVDs also had similar video clips hidden in the menus). We expect that the audio will be provided in Dolby Digital 5.1. We've also been able to learn that the video presentation for the episodes on DVD will be anamorphic widescreen as we had hoped. Enterprise is the first Trek series to feature an original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (all the other series are full frame, or 1.33:1), and the Enterprise DVDs will mark the first time a Star Trek series has been presented on disc with anamorphic enhancement for high-quality display on widescreen TVs. Just by comparison, other TV series to feature anamorphic widescreen presentation on DVD include 24, Alias, The West Wing and the later seasons of The X-Files. How's that for a little news to brighten you day, Trek fans? Anyone else looking forward to these DVDs as much as we are? Now if we can just get some episode audio commentaries with the cast and writers, we'd really be cooking with antimatter. Stay tuned... 12/3/04 We're hearing from our sources that Blade: Trinity director David Goyer reportedly plans 2 versions of the film for the eventual DVD release - a theatrical version and an 11-minute longer director's cut featuring a darker, alternate ending to the film. Blade: Trinity opens on 12/8 in theaters. Stay tuned... 11/30/04 We've gotten word from our sources that Disney and Pixar's The Incredibles is expected to street on or about 3/15. Also, look for Universal's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason to hit DVD on 3/8. Both dates should be considered tentative and unofficial until announced by the studios. Stay tuned... 11/19/04 Some great news for film fans with regard to MGM special editions on the way for 2005. Just in time for March Madness, the studio will release a Hoosiers: Special Edition (TBA for 3/8). I've been waiting for that film to get the anamorphic treatment for a while now. Also expected to be released by MGM as special editions in the first half of 2005 are The Graduate and Spaceballs. We can also reliably confirm something that's been floating around the Net in the last few days (it was originally reported on the Spaghetti Western Web Board). MGM's remaining Sergio Leone titles, including Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and Duck You Sucker) ARE all currently in production for SE release on DVD. Those can tentatively be expected later in 2005. Great news any way you slice it! Stay tuned... 11/17/04 Some quick 20th Century Fox news for you today. The studio has tentatively set Chris Carter's The Lone Gunmen: The Complete Series for release early in 2005. Also on the way for 2005 is Space Above and Beyond: The Complete Series (although the specific release timeframe has yet to be decided). Unfortunately, the Adam West camp classic Batman: The Complete Series is still up in the air for a variety of reasons (we suspect having to do with the fact that the rest of the Batman franchise rights are at Warner at the moment), but there's hope that it will be released eventually. And on the catalog film front, you'll be happy to learn that the long awaited Office Space: Special Edition is shaping up nicely and will include some very cool bonus material. Expect that in 2005 as well. Stay tuned... 11/11/04 We've just gotten the following information from both industry and retail sources. I want to emphasize that this is very tentative and is absolutely subject to change. Also none of the dates you're about to see are officially announced. That said, here's a tentative list of major titles and special editions Paramount is working on for the first half of 2005. Some good stuff here... 2/1 - Cheers: The Complete Fourth Season, Frasier: The Complete Fifth Season, Taxi: The Complete Second Season 2/8 - America's Next Top Model: Cycle 1, 7th Heaven: The Complete Second Season 2/22 - Alfie 3/1 - South Park: The Complete Fifth Season, The Brady Bunch: The Complete First Season 3/15 - Star Trek: First Contact - SCE, Hogan's Heroes: The Complete First Season, Survivor: The Australian Outback 3/29 - Team America: World Police 5/3 - Star Trek: Enterprise - Season One Also expected in 2005 (TBA) - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Touched by an Angel: The Complete Second Season, The Longest Yard: SCE, The Daily Show with John Stewart, Coach Carter, Island in the Sky: SCE, The High and the Mighty: SCE, War of the Worlds: SCE, Face/Off: SCE, Joan of Arcadia: The Complete First Season Possible for 2005 - Titanic: SCE Once again, keep in mind that none of this is set in stone and until it's official, it's not official. Stay tuned... 11/4/04 A few weeks ago, we mentioned the possibility that Paramount was going to be releasing a new special collector's edition of James Cameron's Titanic in 2005. We have a little bit of new information. The DVD production work on the title will be handled by 20th Century Fox. Word has leaked out of Fox's European operation that the title is expected to be a 4-disc edition, tentatively set for release in the Summer of 2005. This seems to confirm what we've heard from our industry sources - specifically that the studio was considering a 4-disc presentation. However, from what we've heard, production has not yet officially begun on the title (or is only just starting to happen). NOTHING is set in stone about this release yet, and our sources are telling us that a late 2005 (4th Qtr) release at the earliest is more likely. So don't start counting your chickens yet, but if you're a fan, be comforted in knowing that a better DVD version of the film is finally on the radar in a more substantial way. Stay tuned... 10/25/04 A lot of you have been asking us when Twin Peaks: Season Two was finally going to be released on DVD. We'd heard rumors that Paramount had the rights (or would have them soon), but the studio had been quiet on the subject and hasn't commented officially. That said, LynchNet.com recently posted this bit of information on their site: "Our sources within Paramount say it's almost a sure thing that you'll see Season Two, as well as a re-release of Season One with the Pilot included, released by Paramount as soon as the rights revert back to them around September 2005. The current rights holder, Lion's Gate (formally Artisan) has no plans to further exploit Twin Peaks or any of it's Spelling Entertainment titles due to the short time frame they have before the rights are lost." Spelling Entertainment titles would obviously include Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place. This is completely unofficial and we can't vouch for LynchNet's sources, but as I said, we HAVE heard that Paramount was going to be involved in a DVD release of Twin Peaks at some point in the future, so this would seem to corroborate that information. We'll do some digging and keep you up to date on anything we learn here. Stay tuned... 10/18/04 Industry sources have slipped us some interesting information, revealing a few interesting titles that Paramount is considering for re-release as Special Collector's Editions in 2005. This information is extremely tentative, but you might keep your eyes peeled for new SCEs of Face Off, Airplane, McLintock!, Hondo, The Truman Show, Braveheart, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and maybe... just maybe... Titanic, among other titles, by the end of next year. Presumably, those films released previously on DVD in non-anamorphic widescreen will receive new HD anamorphic transfers. 10/12/04 Here's some more news you guys are gonna dig. Sources are telling us that 20th Century Fox expects to release Alien vs. Predator on 1/25/05 as a single-disc theatrical edition. There will be some extras, still TBD, but look for an alternate opening and a couple of deleted scenes at least. We'll post more details as they come in. Stay tuned... 10/1/04 Oh... you guys are gonna LOVE this! Sources at 20th Century Fox have just confirmed with me that the long-awaited Office Space: Special Edition is finally a go! The studio and director Mike Judge are currently hard at work on the disc, which is tentatively planned for release in early 2005. There's no other details available at the moment (so don't ask - it's too early in the process), but the title IS finally coming and you can bet we'll keep you up to date on this as things progress. How's that for a way to stave off a bad case of the Mondays? Archived Posts
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