Now let’s get to that Blu-ray news news...
To start, it appears that we’re really finally going to get James Cameron’s The Abyss on Blu-ray. Speaking at Comic-Con on a panel celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Aliens, the director revealed of The Abyss: “We’ve done a [new] wet-gate 4K scan of the original negative, and it’s going to look insanely good,” Cameron said. “We’re going to do an authoring pass in the DI for Blu-ray and HDR at the same time.” He confirmed that it’s likely due in 2017, and the fact that an HDR pass is being done too strongly suggests that a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version will be released at the same time. You can read a little more here via Variety.
Speaking of Fox’s Aliens: 30th Anniversary Edition, look for that on Blu-ray and DVD on 9/13 (SRP $24.99). The Blu-ray will include a new interview with James Cameron among other extras. The packaging will also include a collector’s art booklet along with a batch of postcards reproducing Cameron’s original production sketches. There’s no word yet of a 4K release, but we wouldn’t rule one out. Here’s what the Blu-ray package will look like (click on the image to pre-order it on Amazon)…
While we’re talking Fox, the studio has also confirmed the Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of X-Men: Apocalypse on 10/4. Here’s the final cover artwork for all three Blu-ray versions (with Amazon links)…
In other news, Paramount’s Star Trek Beyond is now available for pre-order on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray formats. We don’t have a street date or details on the extras yet, but you can see all three Blu-ray versions here (again, click on the covers to pre-order them on Amazon)…
As you can see, there’s also an Amazon-exclusive 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version that comes with 4K, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray 3D all in the same package, as well as a replica of the U.S.S. Franklin starship from the film.
We keep having a tons of readers asking us when FUNimation will finally announce the 2017 release of Speed Racer/Mach GoGoGo on Blu-ray. It turns out they didn’t mention the title at Comic-Con, but we expect them to have more to say on the subject at the Otakon anime convention in Baltimore in a few weeks (8/12-14). Meanwhile, FUNimation did announce that they’ve picked up the home video rights to Ghost in the Shell: Innocence and expect to release it in new Blu-ray and DVD editions in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, Shout! Factory revealed that their new Transformers: The Movie – 30th Anniversary Edition (due on 9/13) features a new 4K transfer of the film. It will be available in Blu-ray Steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD editions. The Blu-ray editions will be 2-disc sets including the film in both widescreen and full frame versions, with original 5.1 English audio. Extras will include a retrospective documentary, art and restoration featurettes, theatrical trailers, TV spots, animated storyboards, and audio commentary with director Nelson Shin, story consultant Flint Dille, and actress Susan Blu.
Shout! Factory also announced a new To Live and Die in L.A.: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray for release on a date to be announced as part of their new Shout Select line.
Not to be outdone, Scream Factory has revealed an amazing slate of 13 new titles coming to Blu-ray starting in November, including a Bubba Ho-Tep: Collector’s Edition (2002), Willard (1971), Ben (1972 – the sequel to Willard), a Black Christmas: Collector’s Edition (1974), a Poltergeist II: Collector’s Edition (1986), a Poltergeist III: Collector’s Edition (1986), a Dreamscape: Collector’s Edition (1984), a Rabid: Collector’s Edition (1977), a Dead Ringers: Collector’s Edition (1988), a double feature of Slumber Party Massacre II (1987) and Slumber Party Massacre III (1990), The House That Screamed (1970), and Dead of Winter (1987). Watch for more details on these titles in the weeks and months ahead.
In other news, Blue Underground has set Lucio Fulci’s Manhattan Baby: 3-Disc Limited Edition for Blu-ray release on 10/25, mastered from a new 2K scan of the original camera negative and packed with extras.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Adult Swim have just set The Venture Bros: The Complete Sixth Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 10/4 (SRP $29.98 for Blu-ray).
Warner is also releasing Steven King’s It on Blu-ray for the first time on 10/4. They’re also re-issuing Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and a Gremlins/Gremlins 2 double feature on Blu-ray that same day.
Moving on, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has set AMC’s Preacher: The Complete First Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 10/4.
Here’s something exciting… in addition their new Frankenstein and The Wolf Man Blu-ray collections, Universal is releasing a new An American Werewolf in London: Restored Edition Blu-ray on 9/27. Extras will include audio commentary with stars David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, 6 featurettes (Beware the Moon, I Walked with a Werewolf, Making An American Werewolf in London, An Interview with John Landis, Makeup Artist Rick Baker on An American Werewolf in London, and Casting of The Hand), Outtakes, Storyboards, and a Photograph Montage.
Universal has also set Grimm: The Complete Fifth Season for Blu-ray and DVD release on 9/27.
Also newly available for Blu-ray pre-order on Amazon.com are Disney’s Finding Dory (also due in 3D), The BFG, and The Legend of Tarzan (also due in 3D), Universal’s The Secret Life of Pets (also due in 3D), Sony’s Ghostbusters (2016 – also due in 4K) and The Shallows, Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (also due in 3D and 4K), and Warner’s The Conjuring 2, Central Intelligence (also due in 4K), and Me Before You. Click on the title links provided to pre-order.
And finally this morning, Film Movement has set Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Kamikaze ‘89 for Blu-ray and DVD release on 9/27.
Here’s a look at a little bit more new Blu-ray cover artwork…
That’s all for now. Stay tuned!
- Bill Hunt (@BillHuntBits)