I'm not going to debate the merits of direct to video here. It definitely has a bad wrap for good reasons. However, occasionally you do find some quality films that were never featured on the big screen. And then we come to the whole sequel genre . . . check out the titles slated . . .

From the new Video Business:
MGM IN SLATE OF DVD SEQUELS
Species III first out on Dec. 7
By Scott Hettrick 8/30/2004

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MGM Home Entertainment is developing DVD premiere movie sequels to productions such as Cutting Edge, Roadhouse and War Games.

The strategy gets MGM in the DVD premiere movie market. MGM president David Bishop said he believes it also will boost sales of the original versions of movies being sequal-ized.

First up is Species III on Dec. 7 ($25.98 SRP), a DVD premiere movie featuring an appearance by the original alien hybrid often seen in naked human form, Natasha Henstridge, and starring newcomer Sunny Mabrey. The release is timed to follow a special edition DVD release of the original Species on Oct. 19.

The studio has coordinated a one-time-only debut showing of Species III on the Sci Fi cable network on Nov. 27 that will serve as an extended TV promotion for the marketing of the DVD. The disc will offer a more racy R-rated version and an even saucier unrated version, which features about one minute of additional nudity not in the R-rated edition.

Bishop says the marketing and consumer awareness of Species III could eventually result in a 25% lift in sales of the first two movies on DVD over time. All three movies will likely be repackaged in a collector's set.

Typically, live-action DVD premiere movies are budgeted at somewhere between $2 million to $8 million, most on the lower side of that range.

MGM has not set any mandates for the number of DVD premiere movies it will release each year.

...Because they make crap-loads of money. If a studio can produce a sequel that cost's $5 million to make, and then turns around and sells and makes $13, why wouldn't they? If you have a machine that turned $5 bills into $10 bills, don't tell me you wouldn't use it.

$

Just as I was googling for an apt pic...

Because sometimes theater runs and marketing for such events is just not worth it.

OK, I guess I have over-simplified my post once again. I understand the whole concept . . . I was angling more towards your opinions on DTV sequels to Roadhouse, Wargame, and the Cutting Edge.

For some strange reason, I am perfectly fine with the Species 3 sequel. But I just question WHY the other three? Could we soon be seeing a "Bill & Ted Go Straight to Video"? How about "Mr. Mom 2: Dad Harder"? Or possibly "Singing in the Rain 2: The Calm After the Storm"?

"Gone With the Wind 2: Giving a Damn Again"

"West Side Story 2: The Other Side of the Story"

"The Gooder, The Badder, and the Uglier"

Oooh, I want to see this one! I wonder if they can get Kanunu to do it.

According to the new issue of Video Business, a direct to video sequel to THE SANDLOT is in the works as well.

so what? its not a sequel to citizen kane. its roadhouse, wargames, and cutting edge.

Sequels in name only which have only a titch of a connection to the original film suck

e.g. Wild Things 2, Cruel Intentions 2 and 3 etc

Because movies that dont do well in the cinemas find a new and longer life on dvd/video

So just because movie x failed at the b.o doesnt mean that its a failure and in many cases will find a new life on the video shelves
There was an articule about this in a dvd mag, i'll photocopy it and send to you

This was known as Scarlett.

All i need to say about this whole subject is 3 words:

"Starship Troopers 2"

I'm fine with all of them, because I will never see them (barring random TV sightings). I don't think it really hurts the name of the original as long as people know it's a D2V piece of junk that isn't connected to the original. Like when you see a guy selling a "Rolex" on the street, you don't think less of Rolex because of the crappy quality of the cheap knockoff. I feel much worse when the original cast and crew get back together and pump out a turd.

Or, if they want to get proper, The Better, The Worse, and the Uglier

As discussed here:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=383116

My question is this: just how much sauciness will be added into the unrated version?

But to answer the question, the people who love movies like Roadhouse and the Cutting Edge don't know the difference between direct-to-video and real movies, because they clearly don't watch enough movies to know how much the originals suck.

Sorry. Mods! Hey Mods! Over here! Could you merge these please?

Actually, just to keep things hopping, there will be THREE versions. . . it will air in an even further edited form on Sci-Fi channel before release.

I guess the humor was lost . . . "The Better, The Worse, and Meg Ryan's Botched Plastic Surgery."

I'm not ashamed to admit I like The Cutting Edge.

I love thinking about Moira's sit-spin.

Thank Gattman for sending me that article . . . in it are reports of Dr. Dolittle 3 and mention that Fox is considering a DTV sequel to Master and Commander.