Warner Home Video (WHV) has announced the release of the first title in the HD DVD and DVD Combo Format (HD DVD on one side and Standard Definition DVD on the other): Rumor Has It, which will debut May 9, day-and-date with its Standard Definition version. In addition, WHV will release three new HD DVD titles: GoodFellas and Swordfish on May 2 and Training Day on May 9.
“We are pleased to be continuing our rollout of new HD DVD titles,” said Stephen Nickerson, Senior Vice President, Market Management. “But what is really exciting is the release of the first title, ‘Rumor Has It,’ in the HD DVD and DVD Combo format. Purchasing a disc now in this format is the ideal choice that gives consumers the greatest flexibility in viewing options: If they own an HD DVD player, of course, they’ll get all the benefits of HD DVD and be able to play the disc in existing DVD players. If they’re considering a future purchase of an HD DVD player, they can still enjoy the movie until they upgrade.”
GoodFellas, Swordfish and Training Day will sell for $28.99 SRP; Rumor Has It will be available at $39.99 SRP.
Rumor Has It is director Rob Reiner’s clever romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine and Mark Ruffalo; GoodFellas is Martin Scorsese’s powerful film exploration of mob life starring Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci; Swordfish is the cyber-adventure from “Matrix” producer Joel Silver starring John Travolta, Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman; and Training Day is the gripping, action hit starring Denzel Washington in his Oscar®-winning performance and Ethan Hawke. All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of each of the four titles will be included on the HD DVD versions.
WHV began its rollout of HD DVD titles on April 18 with The Last Samurai, The Phantom of the Opera and Million Dollar Baby. WHV expects to announce shortly additional titles to be released in May.
Warner Home Video HD DVDs offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color in addition to beautifully crisp sound. HD DVD also provides a new level of interactivity, giving instant access to extra features with the debut of a seamless menu bar that allows viewers to enjoy features and settings without leaving or interrupting the film.
