Planned STAR WARS Blu-Ray Release; But Which Versions?

At Star Wars Celebration V this weekend George Lucas announced that the entire STAR WARS saga is being prepped for Blu-Ray, and expected to be released for the end of 2011.

The set will feature documentaries, vintage behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, retrospectives and never-before-seen footage from the Lucasfilm archives. Among this never-before-seen footage will be a scene deleted from RETURN OF THE JEDI that shows Luke Skywalker building his new lightsaber prior to his arrival at Jabba's Palace. This scene was revealed at Celebration V:



But the question that will be asked by the legions of fans who have spent the past 33 years dedicated to the franchise is this: which versions of A NEW HOPE, EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI will be in this set? According to an article on the New York Times website the outlook isn't good:

Mr. Lucas said the versions of the first three films ... included in the Blu-ray boxed set will be the special-edition releases that were shown theatrically in 1997 and digitally restored for a 2004 standard-definition DVD boxed set.

This is a disturbing, but not unforeseen, revelation that will surely sour many who hoped to finally have the original versions in a high-def format. Perhaps there is hope that the originals will be released as an "extra feature", much like they were on the single-disc DVD releases of the original trilogy. For now though, hold close to your weathering VHS copies and Laserdiscs. The fate of the original STAR WARS trilogy is difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.

Troma Entertainment Begins Work on TOXIC AVENGER 5.

Troma Entertainment has signed Los Angeles writer Collyn McCoy to ink the 5th iteration of the iconic TOXIC AVENGER series of movies. McCoy came to the attention of Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment and Creator of the Toxic Avenger, by a chance meeting with Josh Olson, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE at Gremlins director Joe Dante’s office where both were filming segments of Dante’s webseries TRAILERS FROM HELL.

“Collyn’s unique talent will do more than justice to Troma’s 35-year, no-compromises legacy of shit-disturbing movies of the future!” said Kaufman. “His script will undoubtedly be 100% Grade-A Troma!” McCoy’s recent script THE HIGH LIFE (with co-writer Jacob J. Mauldin) is currently being produced by Route One Films, a new film company recently formed by Troma alum Jay Stern and Chip Diggins.

THE TOXIC AVENGER is a seminal film in American film history, and has clearly influenced and inspired many of today's mainstream directors, such as Trey Parker, Eli Roth, James Gunn and Quentin Tarantino. It is perhaps the most beloved title of Troma Entertainment, one of the longest running independent film studios in history (36 years). Since his introduction into the film world, “TOXIE” has become the definitive youth-oriented “cult” monster hero, and is recognized world-wide. Among its many iterations, THE TOXIC AVENGER has spawned a hit off-Broadway musical, Marvel comic book series, four film sequels, a popular Saturday-morning cartoon show, action figures, video games, and is currently being remade into a big-budget, mainstream film by Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman and his team.

TETSUO III THE BULLET MAN Coming To United States

IFC Films genre label IFC Midnight, has announced that they have acquired North American rights to two films from director Shinya Tsukamoto’s acclaimed Tetsuo trilogy: TETSUO III: THE BULLET MAN, the third installment in the series and the first new Tetsuo film in nearly 20 years, and TETSUO II: THE BODY HAMMER (1992), the second film in the series.

TETSUO III: THE BULLET MAN, Tsukamoto’s first English-language film, stars Eric Bossick as Anthony, a young man who was born and raised in Tokyo and is now raising a family there. What should be a happy time in Anthony’s life is not: his wife is crippled by anxiety and unable to leave the house. She also has recurring nightmares about a horrible fate awaiting the pair’s young son, Tom. Those nightmares turn out to be prophetic when Tom is cruelly run down in the street. Anthony flies into a terrible rage, and soon discovers that the power of his emotion transforms him into a strange, metallic monster. This delights the mysterious man who ran down Anthony’s son, a man who now continually taunts Anthony from a distance.

The company plans to release both films on demand and in selected theaters in early 2011.

Until then, here's the trailer for TETSUO III

On October 5th Lionsgate Will Make Blu-Ray Players Drip Red

Lionsgate is proud to announce the upcoming Blu-ray Disc releases of The Blair Witch Project, horror fan favorites Open Water, Open Water 2: Adrift, 2001 Maniacs and Hard Candy all available on October 5th. Retail price is just $19.99 each!

The Blair Witch Project

Just in time for Halloween, the viscerally frightening hit film The Blair Witch Project makes its Blu-ray Disc debut this October from Lionsgate. Set in 1994, three film students travel to the woods of Maryland to investigate an urban legend, and find themselves terrified to the core. The friends - Heather, Josh and Mike - never return from the Black Hills Forest, and one year later their missing footage is found and edited together to tell the story of the amateur filmmakers' terrifying two-day hike. Featuring four never-before-seen alternate endings, the film that caused a stir worldwide is featured for the first time in 1080P High Definition Widescreen, along with additional bonus materials that include an audio commentary, a featurette and extra footage. The Blair Witch Project garnered the 2000 Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

Open Water

Based on true events, the film follows an American couple who embark on an island getaway to escape their workaholic lifestyles and marital problems. Daniel and Susan, both certified scuba divers, board a local dive boat full of other vacationers for an underwater tour of the reef. Due to a series of innocent miscommunications and a distracted crew, the couple is accidentally left behind. As isolation sets in, they turn to one another for support but quickly fall apart. Soon they are prompted to question their own fate as they fight to stay alive in the chilling open waters of the shark-infested ocean.

One of the best reviewed films of 2004, Open Water was hailed as "Diabolically clever" (Rolling Stone) and "An expertly made suspense thriller!" (Los Angeles Times) and was an Official Selection of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. The Blu-ray Disc bonus features include a director and producer commentary, actor commentary, deleted scenes and a couple of featurettes.

Open Water 2: Adrift

Based on a harrowing true story about a weekend cruise aboard a luxury yacht that goes horribly awry for a group of old high school friends who forget to lower the ladder before they jump into the ocean for a swim. The boat proves impossible to climb, leaving them adrift, miles from shore. As the reality of the situation sinks in, the friends begin to turn on each other. Soon the exhaustion of keeping afloat and the struggle to get back on board begin to take a terrible toll. What started as a joyful reunion becomes a fight for survival! The Blu-ray Disc contains a "making-of" featurette.

2001 Maniacs

Based on the campy cult classic by the Godfather of gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis, and starring horror legend Robert Englund, 2001 Maniacs is a bloody comedy/spoof that audiences will love. 2001 Maniacs tells the story of a group of college students on their way to spring break. They decide to take a detour through an old southern town - and are soon in for a big surprise. The residents of Pleasant Valley insist the kids stay for their annual barbecue celebration...but instead of getting a taste of the old south, the old south gets a taste of them! Special features include two separate audio commentaries, the "Inside the Asylum" making-of featurette, deleted/extended scenes, outtakes and an alternate opening with John Landis.

High Tension

High Tension is an intense game of murder and survival, which will rattle viewers to their core. Marie and Alexia are classmates and best friends who go to Alexia's family home in the French countryside hoping to prepare for their college exams in peace and quiet. In the dead of night, a psychotic killer breaks into the house, and with the first swing of his knife, the girl's idyllic weekend turns into an endless nightmare. When Alexia is captured and thrown into a van, Marie attempts to rescue her friend from the evil murderer. High Tension truly brings slasher films back to their roots with this gore-addled film, packed with blood and guts. Special features include the original unrated French Language Director's Cut, an English dubbed version of the film, audio commentary with the director and screenwriter, plus select scene commentary with the director and star of the film. The disc also contains three featurettes - "Haute Horror - The Making of High Tension," "Building Tension," and "Gianetto De Rossi: The Truth, the Madness and the Magic."

Hard Candy

This edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller is directed by David Slade (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) and features Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page. Precocious 14-year-old Hayley probably shouldn't be going to a local coffee shop to meet Jeff, a 30-something fashion photographer she met on the Internet. But before she knows it, she's mixing drinks at Jeff's place and stripping for an impromptu photo shoot. It seems to be Jeff's lucky night. But Hayley isn't as innocent as she looks, and the night takes a turn when she begins to impose a hard-hitting investigation on Jeff in an attempt to reveal his possibly scandalous past. Special features include two separate audio commentaries with the filmmakers and the actors, deleted and extended scenes, a making-of documentary and the "Controversial Confection" mini-featurette.

Cult Brand Tartan Brings in New Leadership to Revive Brand

LOS ANGELES — For immediate release ­ Vin Roberti, Chairman of Palisades Media Corp., announced today that veteran industry executive, Soumya Sriraman, has been named President and CEO of Palisades Tartan US and UK.

"Soumya's executive background with the studios and entrepreneurial spirit coupled with her fresh perspective and keen insights make her an ideal fit for our growing company," stated Roberti. "We are looking forward to her immediate contributions."

Sriraman added, “Vin’s track record of success with Palisades is reflected in the amazing catalog and team he has built. I am a huge fan of the Tartan catalog and plan to aggressively rebuild the brand and introduce US audiences to a new collection of cutting-edge and remarkable films.”

Palisades Tartan has emerged as one of the premier distributors of independent and arthouse cinema in the US and UK and has been on the forefront of consumer trends. Straddling both continents, their film line-up boasts an impressive repertoire in the UK including the Ingmar Bergman library, Takashi Miike’s AUDITION, horror phenom THE RING and INFERNAL AFFAIRS, which was successfully remade in the US and titled THE DEPARTED. Apart from many favorites such as Michael Winterbottom’s 9 SONGS and Carlos Reygadas’s SILENT LIGHT, the US library is anchored by Park Chan-wook’s Cannes jury prize winner, OLDBOY, the film that famously introduced the Western World to the Asia Extreme brand.

Roberti and Sriraman added that they planned to aggressively build the Palisades Tartan brand in the US and UK territories with new strategic acquisitions and mergers over the coming year. Sriraman remarked that despite shrinking shelf space, newer delivery mechanisms including digital represented a significant opportunity offering consumers many viewing modes to whet their appetite for independent films.

Sriraman entered into an undisclosed multi-year contract with the company and will be relocating to New York from Los Angeles. She will immediately begin representing the company at the major film markets worldwide and aggressively source new partnerships.

Most recently, Sriraman was Senior Vice President at Universal Music and Video Distribution¹s filmed entertainment arm, Vivendi. As one of the early members on the Vivendi core executive team, she helmed the growth of the company's home entertainment, theatrical and TV divisions, contributing to their successes. Prior to Vivendi, she was at Warner Home Video where she spearheaded core initiatives in the TV franchise division like Friends Finale, the rebranding efforts on ER etc. Earlier, at Universal Home Entertainment, she was a pioneer in the DVD catalog space, leading the successful re-launches of Scarface and Animal House, the former considered the most successful catalog relaunch in the history of DVD.

Ms. Sriraman has over 12 years of experience in the filmed entertainment space in a vast range of disciplines including category management, brand marketing, sales analysis, theatrical distribution and TV licensing. An engineer by education, Soumya holds a M.S. in Transportation Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MBA from University of California, Irvine.

ABOUT PALISADES TARTAN

Tartan Films was originally founded in 1984 in the UK and is credited with bringing Asian Extreme film to the West as well as some of the most compelling art house films of the last quarter century. In May 2008, Palisades Pictures acquired Tartan Films US library assets and two months later, acquired a majority of Tartan Films UK’s 400+ film library assets. The new company Palisades Tartan has operations both nationally and internationally. Palisades Tartan will continue to expand an already distinctive and provocative slate of films by focusing on quality film acquisitions, thus significantly increasing the size of their overall library in both territories. Palisades Pictures and its parent company Palisades Media Corp is a prestigious financier of print & advertising for the independent film market. Together with its affiliate, Palisades Media Asset Fund, Palisades has securitized and financed more than 550 films. www.PalisadesTartan.com

Working Title Films To Reunite Wright & Pegg

I'm a little late to the party, but here is a press release from Working Title Films announcing their two picture deal that will reunite director Edgar Wright with long time pal/actor/co-writer Simon Pegg (and presumably Nick Frost) along with producer Nira Park.

London. March 31. In an announcement today, Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner unveiled details of a new two picture deal they have signed with British filmmaker Edgar Wright, with whom they worked on the hit films “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.” Wright has agreed to write and direct two projects for the London based production company, the first project being “Baby Driver”, a wild spin on the action and crime genre which will be set in the US. This will be followed by a project with the working title of “The World’s End” which will complete a trilogy of comedy films co-written with Simon Pegg in which they unite again to pen valentines to some of their favourite genres. The pair previously co-wrote “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”.

Both films will be produced by Working Title in association with Big Talk Productions with Big Talk’s Nira Park producing with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

“We are delighted to continue to be in business with Edgar. We see him as one of the most gifted writers and directors in the industry today, and we are very much looking forward to having the chance to have even more successes with him in the future, “ said Fellner.

Edgar Wright commented "Working Title have been fantastic to work with and hugely instrumental in bringing the work of myself, Simon and Nira to the screen. We've had a lot of fun with them so far and it delights me to continue the partnership in the future with new material and bold directions.”

Working Title Films has been co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992. Between them, they have produced over 90 feature films, which have amassed more than $4 billion worldwide. The company’s commercial and critical hits include The Interpreter; About a Boy; Notting Hill; Elizabeth; Fargo; Dead Man Walking; Bean; High Fidelity; Johnny English; Billy Elliot; Four Weddings and a Funeral; Bridget Jones’s Diary; Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Love Actually; Shaun of the Dead; Pride & Prejudice; Nanny McPhee; United 93; Mr Bean's Holiday; Hot Fuzz, Atonement and The Golden Age.

This sounds like more must-see goodness from the other side of the pond. I'm quite interested in how Wright will deal with an American cast with BABY DRIVER, but my thoughts are squarely on what THE WORLD'S END will be. Could this be a love letter to all things post-nuke? Recently released DOOMSDAY did a mighty fine job at that, but I doubt even the excellence of Neil Marshall could stand up to a proper ribbing by Wright and Pegg. We shall have to wait and see...