Will BTTF Be Coming to HD-DVD Soon?
 

I know Universal is releasing titles like crazy on HD-DVD but will we be seeing Back to the Future any time soon?

Also, what other big Universal titles are coming?

It's been on HBOHD and HDnet so I would assume it would be easy for them to release this. Here's hoping!

This and Jurassic Park Trilogy would be soooooo badass!

Spielberg wouldnt allow it. Matrix sold only 13,900 copies and it is a scifi movie made for HD. What do you think BTTF or Jurassic Park will sell? Much less. I wouldnt hold my breathe, lets just say that.

They'd REALLY have to clean the trilogy up for me to be interested. The SD DVDs left much to be desired in the A/V department, if you ask me. I know they're older movies, but I'd think they could look at least a little better than they did.

And, QuePaso, Matrix only sold 13.9K copies because of the price and the fact that many people didn't want the awful, awful sequels. If BTTF/Jurassic Park were available as separate movies, I'm quite sure people would eat them up. Hell, I'd buy the full trilogies for both since the weakest movie(s) in both franchises are leagues better than Reloaded and Revolutions.

I would also say that Universal will likely release the JP films individually, as well as in a set. The original JP would sell like (comparative) gangbusters.

I would also upgrade both sets.

I would also like to see the sales numbers for the Matrix from day one till now. Most e-tailers were sold out release week and many didn't get their sets until the beginning of this week. I wonder if there is a signifigant number...

Also, all these BD backing "Spielberg would say no" comments are only guessing. For all we know, he would have no say whatsoever unless Universal wanted to enlist him for additional extras. They could just rehash the DVD sets with enhanced transfers for HD DVD.

Of course, from a point of view, the BDers are right about it until there is a release, but I'd say it is a loose hook on which to hang one's hat.

Finally, don't we have rulesn here in this forum forbidding what Que Paso has done here? If one doesn't have anything pertinent to add, shouldn't one add nothing.

As far as new films that we'll likely get this year, you've got:

Knocked Up
Evan Almighty
The Bourne Ultimatum
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
The Kingdom (this releases in Sept, so probably early next year)

They also have 2 big Oscar contenders:
American Gangster
Charlie Wilson's War

other big catalog titles that either are announced or will probably be released:

The Bourne Identity
Dawn of the Dead '04
Inside Man?
United 93?
Meet the Fockers
Bruce Almighty
Liar Liar
American Pie?

Take a look at his previous posts, seems he's got a habbit of threadcrapping hd-dvd.

I for one would definitely dip on both bttf & jp, providing the releases were up to specs.

Funny, I was just thinking how I'd love to have the BTTF Trilogy on HD DVD. I'd buy all three in a heartbeat.

-notrolls-

Why don't you go ahead and hold your "breathe" - hold it right between your legs.

(Sorry, I just love Five Easy Pieces).

Guys... Behave.

Please be tolerant of other members who may not share your platform preference.

Thank you. I cant believe that if i dont praise HD-DVD, i get cussed at and flamed on this forum. And i stand by my original statement 100%. Also, the HD-DVD Promotions group listed many Spielberg titles as "Coming soon" on their website, but then retracted the statement and issued a PUBLIC APOLOGY to steven spielberg for even mentioning the titles and hd-dvd in the same website. If you are waiting for some Spielberg films, i would really not be so hopeful, regardless of format.

exactly

I'm sure Scarface is coming-most likely to tie-in to either the theatrical or dvd release of American Gangster.

Blues Brothers should be coming within 12 months

Pride & Predjudice and other Focus films should be making their way out

I guess waiting for Spielberg titles on HD DVD is the equivalent of waiting for any titles from Fox on BD.

Adding to what Geoff said ...

This is a speculation thread. Naturally, some of you may think it'll be soon, some may think it'll be a little later, and others may think it'll be much later, if ever. This thread isn't a big pep rally to try to get BTTF released early. All speculations and comments are welcome regardless of your position.

If you're going to make a fairly strong stance on one side, then we'd appreciate it if you would give a reasonable explanation for your position. And I think QuePaso has done that in this thread. And Mr. Cinema has given a proportional response.

namja
Moderator, DVD Talk Forums


P.S. My personal response regarding this thread: I hope to see BTTF and JP released soon. HD DVD really needs some big titles released soon to stay in the game (the same goes for BD). While I enjoyed BTTF more as a trilogy, I'm not as excited about the possibility of its HD release as I am about JP's HD release. I really think the dinosaurs in HD would kick ass versus seeing Biff in HD.

Heroes Season 1
Battlestar Galactica Seasons 1,2,3
Knocked up

I can't believe I forgot Heroes and BG.

In addition to Heroes Season 1 and Battlestar Galactica Season 1:

Blood Diamond July 3
The Bourne Identity and Hot Fuzz July 24
300 and Shaun of the Dead July 31
TMNT August 7

There's a difference between not praising a format and trash-talking it every chance you get. Please be aware of that distinction in your future postings.

Agreed. Spielberg more than likely doesn't have the final say in how BTTF is released. Universal is doing a fantastic job on HD DVD. As far as other big announced titles on HD DVD, the list of HD DVD exclusives are below (thanks to AVS). These are JUST the exclusives. There may be even more exclusives to come. The list does NOT include the format neutral companies releases. Up through Aug 28, 2007, HD DVD has 47 exclusives and BD has 28.

June 12, 2007

1. Black Christmas (2006) (Weinstein)
2. Born on the Fourth of July (Universal)
3. Breach (Universal)
4. Bruce Almighty (Universal)
5. Daylight (Universal)
6. Harsh Times (Weinstein)
7. Liar Liar (Universal)
8. Living Landscapes: The World's Most Beautiful Places (Customflix)
9. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (Universal)
10. Sneakers (Universal)

June 26, 2007

11. American Me (Universal)
12. Army of Darkness (Re-issue) (Universal)
13. Being John Malkovich (Universal)
14. The Big Lebowski (Universal)
15. Bulletproof (Universal)
16. Dead Silence (Universal)
17. Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 2006 (Rhino)
18. Freedom: Vol. 1 (Bandai Visual)
19. Mallrats (Universal)
20. Meet Joe Black (Universal)
21. Mystery Men (Universal)
22. Santana: Hymns for Peace - Live at Montreux 2004 (Rhino)
23. Unleashed (Re-issue) (Universal)
24. The Watcher (Universal)
25. Yes: Live at Montreux (Rhino)

July 10, 2007

26. Billy Madison (Universal)
27. Dante's Peak (Universal)
28. The War (Universal)
29. The Wedding Date (Universal)

July 24, 2007

30. The Bourne Identity (Universal)
31. The Contract (First Look)
32. Hot Fuzz (Universal)
33. In Good Company (Universal)
34. The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps (Universal)
35. Scent of a Woman (Universal)
36. Streets of Fire (Universal)

July 31, 2007

37. Darkman (Universal)
38. Sea of Love (Universal)
39. Shaun of the Dead (Universal)

August 14, 2007

40. Erin Brockovich (Universal)
41. Meet the Fockers (Universal)
42. Mercury Rising (Universal)
43. What Dreams May Come (Universal)

August 28, 2007

44. Dawn of the Dead (2004) (Universal)
45. Heroes: Season One (Universal)
46. The Hurricane (2000) (Universal)
47. Notting Hill (Universal)


P.S. If QuePaso has nothing to contribute but format bashing, maybe he shouldn't contribute at all. And yes, QuePaso, the Matrix boxsets sold "only" 13,900 +/- upon release, but, that is for a $100-$120 msrp box set, not a $20-$25 single movie. 13,900 x 3 movies = 41700 total sold (relativley speaking). Are those numbers 100% acurate, well, no because it was sold as a box set. 13,900 x $110 msrp (average) = $1,529,000 approx. Not to shabby for movies that are 4-8 years old, don't have a sequel this summer, no cereal box covers, no recent releases, etc....you get the picture. Remember, The Matrix is what started off DVD. It's ghost is still here. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. One can assume the set will be sold individually in the future. As far as box sets go, just wait until Heroes is released on Aug 28. TONS of people waiting for this and it will open a huge divide. Watch your footing and stay away from the ledge. :)

Speilberg has no say? LOL. Did you guys follow the development of DVD at all? Speiberg has all the say. It doesn't matter if he doesn't own the films; no studio wants to piss off the most powerful director in the U.S.

His films (director or producer) weren't released on DVD until he gave the okay. A few were released in the early days, like Twister, but he squashed the rest until the format matured.

Until you can get the CEO of Universal to personally come here and tell us he listens to Spielberg's orders, there are MANY of us who will disagree with you. I have the utmost respect for Spielberg as a director, but he is not the all powerful individual you make him out to be. Sure, the studios may seek some guidance when it concerns his movies, but it all comes down to the almighty dollar. Universal will release BTTF when they think the time is right, not when Spielberg orders them to. Universal owns the distribution rights to the movies, not Spielberg. BTW, I like your site. :)