Could Paramount end up being the studio that makes the biggest Blu-ray splash in '08?

[MerrickG]

For all the much deserved anger showed towards Paramount last year, they could end up being the studio that opens the vault soonest for bluray.

Based on rumors, its QUITE possible in the best case scenario that we could get the Indy films, Godfather films Iron Man and Transformers all this year on bluray.

If the above did indeed happen, would it be safe to say that Paramount thus far has done the most in 2008 to open the floodgates for bluray adoption?

Worst case scenario is that we get Transformers and Iron Man on bluray.

It the above possibility doesnt excite you, I dont know what will.

Its also possible that high def release of Braveheart might not be too far off considering the dvd re-release of last year.

Any thoughts?

[BLU for Blue]

Well Godfather is coming. But I can see HD DVD releases coming to blu like Shrek 3...But the re releases will probably be released August-October so they dont get in the way of the summer blockbusters.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by BLU for Blue

Well Godfather is coming. But I can see HD DVD releases coming to blu like Shrek 3...But the re releases will probably be released August-October so they dont get in the way of the summer blockbusters.

It could be a big year for Paramount as far as bluray is concerned if the above happens.

[ganthc]

I still think that Disney has the best opportunity with their releases. Plus, Paramount has never been that prolific with their releases, even when they were dual format. I think that they have a great lineup for sure, but Disney has been more prolific with their releases.

[coolmilo]

I think Paramount can make the biggest splash in 08. All they need to do is release Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Godfather, and Transformers all with lossless audio and game over.

[Sky_Captain]

They've a few heavy hitters, don't they? Iron Man's the one I really want, I don't care about Indy or the Godfathers.

[Whytewash]

Every other studio thus far, other than universal, has always dominated our format and they will continue to do so this entire year with all of their catalog titles. Sony and Disney are the best studios out right now. Warner has been doing some great catalog stuff also. I think Paramounts time is next year. sry

[Bullseye]

I think I will be skipping Indy 4. What a let down.

[MerrickG]

Releasing godfather and indiana jones would make a HUGE statement for bluray.

I think the BDA should pressure every studio to release at least one major franchise a year.

Here is some franchises (Yes, I will end up leaving some out):

Fox:
Aliens
Star Wars

MGM:
Bond films

Disney:
More Pixar films

Paramount:
Godfather
Indiana Jones
Shrek (to a lesser degree)
Star Trek

New Line:
Lord of the Rings

Universal:
Jurassic Park
Back to the Future
Bourne films

Sony:
Cant think of any here

Warner Brothers:
Batman films
Matrix films


I know Im forgetting some obvious ones

[R3DRUM]

They could make up for past mistakes doing this and it would definatley take a bit of the sour taste i have towards them away lol.

[Alan Gordon]

While I have NO DOUBT that "Iron Man" will be a HUGE seller for Paramount, and Indy 4 as well should it be released, but I'm not going to crown Paramount yet.

I'm really expecting GOOD things from Universal though...

~Alan

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

While I have NO DOUBT that "Iron Man" will be a HUGE seller for Paramount, and Indy 4 as well should it be released, but I'm not going to crown Paramount yet.

I'm really expecting GOOD things from Universal though...

~Alan

Like what? So far all they have announced is the Mummy and Heroes.


Oh yeah and Doomsday...

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Like what? So far all they have announced is the Mummy and Heroes.

Oh yeah and Doomsday...

So far, all Paramount has announced (other than catalog titles or releases of films released on DVD in the last couple of months) is "The Spiderwick Chronicles", "Drillbit Taylor" and "The Ruins"?

Universal Releases Blu-ray Plans

Looks to me like Universal will have a decent output of titles through 2008, "lossless" audio on all Blu-ray titles (something Paramount can't say due to their older "re-releases").

Don't get me wrong, Paramount's "Iron Man" will most likely nail Universal's releases to the wall. Should they release Indy 4, it will as well. Paramount might also get some MAJOR props should they releases the earlier Indy films and "The Godfather" trilogy. I also think Paramount should also get some MAJOR props for having BD-optomized encodes, whereas Universal will have some HD DVD ports, but I'm just not really to ready to crown Paramount yet.

~Alan

[Bobby Henderson]

Paramount won't be the studio making the biggest splash in Blu-ray. They're just the studio that will be accomplishing the biggest surge of "catch up" on the format.

I might reconsider that opinion if they release all the Indiana Jones movies and The Godfather movies on Blu-ray this fall. It might also help if they get a newer, better version of Transformers onto Blu-ray as well. Iron Man is definitely going to help Paramount's numbers though.

Still, I think Warner Bros. is going to do the best on the format. They'll have a Matrix box set out this fall. I think The Dark Knight may shape up to be the summer's biggest hit and most wanted title on Blu-ray this fall.

[BLU for Blue]

universal also promised 50 titles by the end of 08 while paramount hasnt promised anything

[bluskiff]

I want the startrek films there the ones I want most. The steam is out of transformers I would like indy 4 and ironman. For those who did not like indy 4 go see speed racer then you will then see what a real piece of sh*t looks like.

[R3DRUM]

I'd love to see Paramount release the Friday the 13th series for one!.

[BLU for Blue]

Damn I forgot Star Wars is Fox

Fox + Lucas = $200 for all 6 episodes

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Paramount won't be the studio making the biggest splash in Blu-ray. They're just the studio that will be accomplishing the biggest surge of "catch up" on the format.

This is kind of my thinking as well. I mean, maybe I'm forgetting something, but other than "Iron Man" and very possibly, Indy 4, what is so "splashy" coming from Paramount? I mean, sure "Transformers" will be cool, and the possibilities of the other POSSIBLE films will be great... BUT other than "lossless" audio and possibilities, what do we have to show for it?

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Still, I think Warner Bros. is going to do the best on the format. They'll have a Matrix box set out this fall. I think The Dark Knight may shape up to be the summer's biggest hit and most wanted title on Blu-ray this fall.

I'm going to give WB a lot of credit for the amount of TV-on-Blu releases this year, but until they stop with the DNR, and start supporting "lossless" audio on all releases, I'm not going to put them in the running. "The Matrix" box set (with the exception of "The Animatrix") will be HD DVD ports... so that won't be quite as splashy as a BD-optomized release.

Disney also gets credit for releasing a "Platinum Series" release this year, but other than that, what's "splashy" about plugging away with great quality?

Sony's been putting out great work as well, so again, not that splashy...

Fox/MGM has been putting out great work as well, but could certainly improve other things... (pricing, extras, etc...)

I won't comment on Lionsgate, Criterion, etc... as I really feel it will still be the "majors" to make the biggest splash...

To me, it's Universal or Paramount. We'll see...

~Alan

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by BLU for Blue

Damn I forgot Star Wars is Fox

Fox + Lucas = $200 for all 6 episodes

By the time Lucas/Fox releases these films, Fox will have lower MSRPs and stores will discount them more as well!

~Alan