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Universal Details Plans For Blu-ray

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Universal, Industry Trends, Release Dates (all tags)

Universal Studios is expected to announce plans today to begin issuing new release titles on Blu-ray starting this summer.

As reported by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, the studio, which had been one of the staunchest supporters of the HD DVD format, is expected to announce the recent theatrical release 'Doomsday' as their inaugural Blu-ray title, with approximately 40 other films following in the latter half of the year.

Other titles singled out for Blu-ray release include the studio's upcoming films 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'Wanted,' 'Mamma Mia,' and 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.' In anticipation of the new 'Mummy' film, Universal's first jump into the Blu-ray pool will come on July 22 with three films from the franchise, including the Brendan Fraser action adventures 'The Mummy,' 'The Mummy Returns,' and the spin-off 'The Scorpion King' starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Other titles mentioned for Blu-ray treatment include 'Land of the Dead, ' 'End of Days,' 'Knocked Up,' 'American Gangster,' 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin,' 'Miami Vice,' and 'U-571.'

Additional news and titles will no doubt be forthcoming, so we'll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Mummy (1999) (Blu-ray)
The Mummy Returns (Blu-ray)
The Scorpion King (Blu-ray)

'Serenity' to Lead Off Universal's First HD-DVD Titles

Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 02:18 PM ET
Tags: Release Dates, Universal (all tags) The launch of the first HD-DVD player and discs only a week away, Universal appears poised to announce the release of its first three titles for the format, reports Video Business. The studio has quietly alerted select retailer websites that it will debut 'Serenity' on April 18, followed a week later by 'Apollo 13' and 'Doom.'

Though Universal has not made an any official announcement of the titles, nor would a studio spokesperson confirm nor deny the releases to VB, all three of the HD-DVD titles have quietly appeared on retail websites including Amazon.com, Target.com and Circuit City.com. Both Amazon and Target currently list all three titles with a list price of $34.95 each; Circuit City at $33.95. No details on technical specs or supplementary material for any of the releases is yet available, though all are expected to contain the same extra features as their standard DVD counterparts.

If the April 18 holds date for 'Serenity,' both Universal and Warner will have discs on the market timed with the format's launch. The only other studio to commit to the HD-DVD format, Paramount, has yet to announce any release plans.

For a complete list of currently announced HD-DVD titles visit our HD-DVD Release Schedule, which has now been updated to include the Universal titles.
Related links:
Uni Delivers 'Serenity' to HD-DVD [Video Business]

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