Spielberg's films on Blu-ray?

[radagast]

According to this article:

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News...x?NewsId=21232


"Spielberg's films are specifically excluded from the Paramount-DreamWorks Animation deal, they will continue to be released in both formats, according to Paramount. "

Other noteworthy quotes:

"Toshiba will use the release of "Shrek the Third" as part of an HD DVD marketing campaign."

Also:

"The founder of the first and only indie Blu-ray factory in the U.S, Erick Hansen of Blue Ray Technologies, spoke out strongly about the reported $150 million in incentives Toshiba and the HD-DVD cadre gave to Paramount and DreamWorks Animation to shun Blu-ray discs. "

""I would like to see others take a stand, this is only slowing the inevitable and hurting consumers and the business," Hansen said. "This seems like a move of desperation," said Andy Parsons, a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, which represents companies like Panasonic, Samsung and Sony."

""It's not that I'm surprised they took the deal," Hansen concluded. "But it's like paying them not to grow crops. How is the film industry going to segue into the next-gen world if it accepts a relative pittance to stunt its growth?"

Hansen is founder of Blue Ray Technologies (www.blueraytechnologies.com) which has built the first U.S. indie Blu-ray plant in Spokane, WA. The $12 million plant also has HD-DVD capacity, but Hansen has chosen to support Blu-ray for reasons of quality, capacity, and market penetration. "

[GarettP]

Maybe there is a little hope for Transformers on Blu-ray since Spielberg's name is on it.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by radagast

"Toshiba will use the release of "Shrek the Third" as part of an HD DVD marketing campaign."

How sad is it that it comes down to only a few titles for marketing HD DVD?

Reign Over Me/Spidey-3/Close Encounters of the Third Kind/20 Million Miles To Earth
Pirates 3/Cars/Ratatouille
Fantastic 4/Live Free or Die Hard/Simpson's Movie

The key to the Spielberg news is:

(1) All his Paramount/Dreamworks/Universal films (he directed) are subject to a Blu-ray release requirement.

(2) Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the only one to be coming so far, does not have an HD DVD release requirement.

Gary

[darkpoet25]

At least we'll be getting Close Encounters Of The Third Kind on Blu exclusively. I thought it was funny how Graffeo had to make a public appology to Spielberg for announcing releases on Hd Dvd. I wonder if that means we'll be getting Shindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, etc. on Blu in the fututre.

[SKRUhddvd]

will WAR OF THE WORLDS ever be available on blu.

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by SKRUhddvd

will WAR OF THE WORLDS ever be available on blu.

It was directed by Spielburg so I'll say yes. Hopefully Saving Private Ryan too.

[CptGreedle]

Something tells me that a Steven Spielberg production is not the same as a Steven Spielberg film/Directed by Steven Spielberg.
I don't think it will be protected by this exclusion.
We can hope, but don't expect it to happen.

[WickyWoo]

The exclusion is specifically DIRECTED films

[Bullseye]

I would be more interested in the films he directed anyway. Do you think that his films will be released on both formats at the same time or will Paramount release them first on HD-DVD to let them get some momentum on their own format?

[katharsis]

They better release them at least on the same day if not even blu-ray first to make up at least a bit for screwing us!

[cartier]

Originally Posted by radagast

According to this article:

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News...x?NewsId=21232


"Spielberg's films are specifically excluded from the Paramount-DreamWorks Animation deal, they will continue to be released in both formats, according to Paramount. "

I have been wondering about this point, but my research shows that Paramount has not commented either way, nor has Spielberg about whether any of his movies will be coming to HD-DVD in addition to Blu-ray. All paramount said in a press statement was that Spielberg's movies were excluded, not that they would produce them in both, nor that he would allow them to be in HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

How good would their switch to HD-DVD exclusivity be if in the press release it said "HD-DVD is great, but one of the worlds greatest directors, Steven Spielberg, does not want his movies on HD-DVD." There are a few ways to read Paramount's comments, and they have not greatly clarified their stance regarding the release of Spielberg films.

[WhoDat]

This better drop on Blu Ray.....or my wife will kill me!! I got rid of her copy by mistake ( )............

[radagast]

Didn't any of you like this line:

It's not that I'm surprised they took the deal," Hansen concluded. "But it's like paying them not to grow crops.

[Canada]

I think Spielberg will not do any more films with Paramount/Dreamworks what do you think?

[Ronios663]

In a recent Business Week article addressing the relationship b/t Spielberg and Paramount, the prognosis did not look so good in terms of him sticking around once his contract is up at the end of the year. Also, the way the deal was worked when Paramount bought Dreamworks, somehow the name Dreamworks is not fully included. Spielberg can open up a new movie house if he chooses and name it Dreamworks once his contract is up.

[Papi4baby]

Did you guys notice the company name is BluE ray technologies not blu?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by GarettP

Maybe there is a little hope for Transformers on Blu-ray since Spielberg's name is on it.

But he didnt direct it Michael Bay did

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Papi4baby

Did you guys notice the company name is BluE ray technologies not blu?

I think its because its not an official Blu-ray company or something like that because of copyright laws