Well folks the first release dates for the upcoming Blu-ray disc format have been announced as Lionsgate Home Entertainment leads the way with the announcement of five titles that will hit shelves on May 23 with even more to follow in the June/July timeframe. This release comes two months following the anticipated roll out of the competing HD format DVD aptly named HD DVD.
The first titles to hit store shelves will be Crash, Lord of War, The Punisher, Saw and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. As far as prices go, MSRP on these titles will range from $29.99-39.99.
The titles that will follow this initial wave of releases will be Reservoir Dogs, Total Recall, Stargate and Frank Herbert’s Dune all priced at $29.99 with The Devil’s Rejects included int he bunch with a $39.99 price tag.
The announcement was made today by Lionsgate President Steve Beeks. who went on to say, “There has never been a home entertainment experience available to mass audiences like Blu-ray, and Lionsgate is pleased to be providing some of our top-line product at launch for consumers to enjoy. As a company, we have always been at the forefront in utilizing technology to offer consumers the best viewing experience. Watching a film in your living room is about to radically change forever and we can’t wait to maximize Blu-ray’s technological capabilities and see for ourselves how far we can take the home movie-watching experience.”
Lionsgate noted that Blu-ray is one of many digital technological advances that are expected to create new revenue streams for existing library product as well as new content. As studios usher in the age of high-definition DVD, Lionsgate remains at the forefront of incorporating its use, and the Company plans to follow this announcement with an additional wave of Blu-ray titles in the coming months. Lionsgate will continue to make available new releases and popular catalog titles from its prolific and prestigious library on the format throughout 2006.
Here at RopeofSilicon you can keep up-to-date with all the Blu-ray and HD DVD releases as they are made by checking out our exclusive section dedicated to the two formats here.
