Universal Studios Home Entertainment revealed its initial lineup of film and television properties arriving later this year on Blu-ray Disc, day and date with DVD, it was announced today by Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms. Marking the rollout of the studio’s first global release on Blu-ray will be the “Heroes: Season Two,” which will debut beginning August 26, 2008.
The premier of the sophomore season of NBC’s “Heroes” will be buoyed by the simultaneous debut of “Heroes Season One” on Blu-ray. Later in the year and in time for the holidays, five of the year’s most promising feature films will arrive in high definition: The Incredible Hulk, the action-packed new chapter of one of the most popular Super Hero sagas of all time that stars Edward Norton, William Hurt and Liv Tyler; Wanted, the action-thriller from stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov that stars Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie; Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the epic vision of imagination from acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro; Mamma Mia!, the musical romantic comedy in which Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the adaptation of the beloved musical; and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the next installment in “The Mummy” franchise in which Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh and newcomer Luke Ford join the returning Brendan Fraser and John Hannah for a supernatural adventure that shifts the series to the Far East.
“We’re thrilled that our preliminary slate of Blu-ray offerings comprises such a brilliant collection of high-def centric fare,” said Mr. Kornblau. “As awareness for Blu-ray continues to grow, consumers will learn to rely on the superior quality picture, sound, interactivity and connectivity that only high-definition home entertainment delivers.”
The first wave of Universal Blu-ray releases, which hits U.S. stores July 22nd, gives fans of “The Mummy” franchise a chance to relive the iconic blockbuster films’ thrilling beginnings in crystal-clear high-definition. The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, starring Brendan Fraser, and the action-packed spin-off The Scorpion King, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, all will be released on Blu-ray for the first time that day.
The first of Universal’s new theatrical Blu-ray releases hitting store shelves this summer day and date with its DVD counterpart is the apocalyptic thrill-ride Doomsday, starring Rhona Mitra, Malcolm McDowell and Bob Hoskins. Other titles on deck for 2008 include American Gangster, Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Miami Vice, End of Days, U-571 and Land of the Dead, among others.
Furthering Universal’s aggressive rollout of Blu-ray product globally, Universal Pictures International Entertainment, the company’s international home entertainment arm, is concurrently announcing its initial slate of Blu-ray releases for the international marketplace today.
