Universal announces initial Blu-ray titles
The biggest studio supporter of HD DVD has finally given their plans for Blu-ray. Universal Studios (an NBC/Universal company) will begin releasing titles on Blu-ray starting 22 July. This is almost two months after the official end of the format war. It is anticipated that all new releases will be on Blu-ray Disc and DVD day-and-date.
The first batch of films will be catalog titles on 22 July with The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and spin-off The Scorpion King. These will be in stores just in time for the latest theatrical release of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
New releases will be day-and-date with DVD starting with Doomsday, the unfortunately horrible post-apocalyptic film staring Rhonda Mitra.
The new releases later this year will include: Heroes: Season Two along with a re-release (on Blu-ray this time) Season One on 26 August; The Incredible Hulk, the new one releasing later this year featuring Edward Norton; Wanted, the upcoming assassin film staring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie; Hellboy II: The Golden Army; Mamma Mia!; and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the latest in The Mummy franchise.
More catalog titles included in the Universal press release are: American Gangster, Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Miami Vice, End of Days, U-571 and The Land of the Dead. They indicate more titles but haven’t named them yet.
On a humorous note, Craig Kornblau is now spewing Blu-ray boilerplate, even including trademark notices. “As awareness for Blu-rayâ„¢ continues to grow, consumers will learn to rely on the superior quality picture, sound, interactivity and connectivity home entertainment delivers.” I wonder if he’s an android.
