MUMBAI: Bringing further heat to the burgeoning HD DVD format, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release more than 100 new film and television titles in 2007.
Perennial favorites such as Scarface and classics like 40-Year-Old Virgin, Battlestar Galactica S1 and Oscar-winning Brokeback Mountain will be joined by dozens of new titles released day and date with the DVD.
Since the format’s inception in April 2006, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released 60 titles on HD DVD, and currently boasts four of the top 10 best-selling HD DVDs year-to-date, including Casino, Serenity, Fearless and Miami Vice.
Tapping into the studio’s vast library, the 2007 slate kicked off on 18 January with the release of The Mummy Returns, followed by Brokeback Mountain, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on 23 January, 2007. Following shortly thereafter will be such day-and-date new releases as Golden Globe-nominee Hollywoodland on 6 February. More than 90 per cent of the planned 2007 Universal titles will be released as combo discs – which feature an HD DVD version and a standard DVD version of the movie on the same disc.
“With more than two million HD DVD players expected in the market in North America by the end of 2007, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is committed to expanding its portfolio of compelling HD DVD content and further igniting consumer demand. By releasing most of our titles as combo discs we effectively satisfy consumers’ multi-viewing habits, providing them with the most cost-effective option to watch their favorite films in either their DVD or HD DVD players,†said Universal Studios Home Entertainment president Craig Kornblau.
Among the additional new titles to be released in 2007 are the Oscar-nominated Children of Men, The Good Shepherd, and Smokin’ Aces. Also on deck for release this year are such highly anticipated catalog favorites as Bruce Almighty; The Bourne Identity; Meet The Fockers; American Pie; Inside Man; Pride & Prejudice; The Big Lebowski; Liar Liar; Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels; Brazil; Erin Brockovich; Shaun of the Dead; Dawn of the Dead; Slap Shot; and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
