Meanwhile, Buena Vista has already announced the theatrical version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is tentatively due on 5/13 (the street date may change slightly). The National Treasure: Collector's Edition and National Treasure: Book of Secrets both follow on 5/20. As we first revealed on 3/24, June will see the Blu-ray release of The Recruit and M. Night Shyamalan's Signs, both on 6/3. Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York is now confirmed for Blu-ray release on 7/1. The studio has officially announced the Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert - The 3-D Movie for Blu-ray Disc release on 8/19, and it will feature the first actual 3-D presentation on Blu-ray, complete with 3-D glasses (a regular 2-D version will also be included). And Sleeping Beauty is currently set for 10/7, featuring BD-Live content and "living menus," including a real-time castle environment that changes based on your location. The straight-to-video sequel Tinkerbell is due in October as well. Obviously, a number of new theatrical films will also be released on Blu-ray Disc in 2008 (think Wall-E and others). But here's a few new titles for you: Studio sources have confirmed that a Nixon: Election Year Edition and Good Will Hunting are both on the way for later in 2008. We've also learned that Kill Bill 1 & 2 and Finding Nemo are now being planned for release in 2009 on the format.
Now let's talk Warner: As many of you should know by now, Twister has been set for release on 5/6. The Wachowski Brothers' V for Vendetta is now due on Blu on 5/20 (timed to coincide with the theatrical release of their new Speed Racer film). Both the Dirty Harry: Special Edition and a Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition box set (containing all of the films) are due on 6/3. Warner has announced Batman Begins and a Batman Begins: Limited Edition Gift Set for release on Blu-ray on 7/8. The Dark Knight will obviously be released on Blu-ray Disc later this year, and it's possible that the Batman Anthology box set might be released then as well, if work can be completed in time (work is already well underway). Other new release films you can expect on BD in 2008 are Speed Racer, Get Smart and 10,000 B.C., with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price and Where the Wild Things Are following in 2009.
In terms of classic catalog, it's Warner's goal (by mid to late summer) that going forward, EVERY TIME they issue a new catalog special edition or Ultimate Collector's Edition on standard DVD, the title will also available day-and-date on Blu-ray Disc as well. Currently in the works for release this year on Blu-ray are How the West Was Won, Gigi, An American in Paris and possibly a new A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition. Heat needs a new transfer, but its already in the works, and Clash of the Titans will likely be released later in 2008. All of the titles previously released on HD-DVD only will arrive on Blu-ray Disc in the next year or so, including Mutiny on the Bounty, Forbidden Planet, Casablanca, Excalibur, Grand Prix and The Adventures of Robin Hood (Robin Hood will likely be the first to arrive in stores, as all the BD elements have been completed). And currently in the works for Blu-ray release in 2009 are such landmark classics as The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Woodstock and North by Northwest. What's more, Ben-Hur will arrive on Blu-ray on '09 as well, just in time to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary.
And finally, here's a bit of new information that should excite fans of both Blu-ray Disc and The Matrix. Sources at Warner Home Video have confirmed to us that when The Matrix Trilogy makes its way to Blu-ray (likely in the 4th quarter, timed to the DVD and Blu-ray release of Speed Racer), The Animatrix will also be released on Blu-ray Disc in true 1080p high-definition. Whether it will be included in the box set or released separately (or both) is still TBD, but the simple fact that The Animatrix wasn't included in high-def in the HD-DVD box set was a key complaint for fans, so it's nice to know the studio is rectifying that on Blu-ray.
