'300: The Complete Experience' Set for July Blu-ray Double Dip

Two years after its high-def debut, Warner is double-dipping the monster hit '300' with the July release of 'The Complete Experience.'

Though long-rumored for a Blu-ray release, Warner Home Video has today finally confirmed a July 21 street date for '300: The Complete Experience,' which will arrive on high-def as a DigiBook special edition, timed to coincide with the video release of director Zack Snyder's just-announced 'Watchmen: Director's Cut.'

Expanding upon the extras found on the previous, single-disc Blu-ray version of '300,' the three-disc 'Complete Experience' will include over two hours of new making-of footage. Dubbed "The Complete 300: A Comprehensive Immersion,' the Blu-ray will feature three picture-in-picture tracks that offer three unique perspectives while you watch the film:

• Creating a Legend - Frank Miller and Zack Snyder interpret a classic tale
• Bringing the Legend to Life - Building a world from a comic
• The History Behind the Myth - The real story of the hot gates

Also new to the 'Complete Experience' Blu-ray are BD-Live connectivity, which will include MyCommunity Screening and My WB Commentary functions, and a media center with additional downloadable content.

Bonus features carried over from previous video releases of '300' include a blue screen-only picture-in-picture track, audio commentary by Snyder, writer Kurt Johnstad and director of photography Larry Fong, multiple featurettes ("The 300- Fact or Fiction?", "Who Were The Spartans - The Warriors of 300," "Preparing for Battle - The Original Test Footage," "Frank Miller Tapes," "Making of 300"), the "Making 300 in Images" still gallery, web-i-sodes, and deleted scenes.

Tech specs will see the main feature presented on a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p/VC-1 video (2.39:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

A third standard DVD disc will contain a Digital Copy of the film, compatible with PCs and iTunes.

Finally, the set comes housed in Warner's DigiBook packaging, which includes a 50-page full-color collectible booklet with additional liner notes and rare photos.

We have yet to receive a confirmed suggested retail price for the Blu-ray, but we'll keep you posted.

You'll find the latest specs for '300: The Complete Experience' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 21.