Pitch Black 4K UHD (2000)

[SpaceBlackKnight]

I expected Universal to put this one out themselves, being the Riddock franchise is one of their biggest properties. Ironically, there were rumors floating around on some European sites of Universal putting out a UHD of Pitch Black solo or in a set with the other two Riddock movies.

I imagine Universal created this HDR master and were set to put it out themselves. But it sounds like ether Arrow wanted this title and the sequel enough to pay Uni whatever their ransom was, or Universal cut their Home Video department even further to focus on the bigger new releases and are licencing even more titles out recuperate from theatrical losses due to Corona.

[Geoff D]

I doubt this has anything to do with the pandemic. Arrow would have secured this months ago.

[sonicyogurt]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

I imagine Universal created this HDR master and were set to put it out themselves.

Straight from Arrow:

Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films of the Theatrical and Director’s Cuts of the film, approved by director David Twohy

[cheez avenger]

Gonna lock in my pre-order on Amaozn. No way will I front money to Diabolik. Not only that, you're locked in should the price go down elsewhere.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I doubt this has anything to do with the pandemic. Arrow would have secured this months ago.

I guess, just seems odd that Uni would licence out BD AND 4K rights the first entry of one of their biggest properties. I can see Flash Gordon since it's one of their lower tier titles that has some popularity and has a 4k HDR master ready to go.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by sonicyogurt

Straight from Arrow:

Interesting! I assumed Uni did the transfer and HDR work since Arrow have said that stuff is very expensive for them. Maybe this title is so big, bigger than Waterworld, they don't want to disappoint by being BD only while a cheaper Universal UHD comes down later in the line.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

I guess, just seems odd that Uni would licence out BD AND 4K rights the first entry of one of their biggest properties.

I wouldn't go that far.

[Fang Zei]

So is this going to be UHD-only?

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Pitch Black has a pre F&F Vin Diesel and not only was a sleeper hit on a low budget, but also did gangbusters in the DVD glory days. 2013's Riddick did the same steps as Pitch Black, but Chronicles of Riddick was a BO flop due to Universal nurturing the theatrical release at a PG-13 to reel in audiences fresh from XXX and 2 Fast 2 Furious. Chronicles was way more popular on DVD due to the inclusion of the original R-rated cut and sold enough to make up for the disappointing BO intake.

Still very surprised they were willing to licence Pitch Black out to Arrow with UHD rights included, but stranger things have happened. I suspect an Arrow edition of Chronicles of Riddick may follow, unless Universal didn't make that one available and will release a UHD themselves. Can't see Riddick coming from Arrow as it's too new, unless Uni doesn't see high sales figures to warrant putting money in their own UHD release.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by Fang Zei

So is this going to be UHD-only?

Arrow also announced a standard region A/B BD.

[jfcarbel]

Holy Crap $50 - Is this Arrow's highest priced action catalog title to date? I suppose because its their first 4K UltraHD, but seems steep. I would certainly shell out $30 for this though.

Any thoughts on perhaps maybe a price drop? Is that typical of Amazon arrow releases.

[veyron]

Originally Posted by jfcarbel

Holy Crap $50 - Is this Arrow's highest priced action catalog title to date? I suppose because its their first 4K UltraHD, but seems steep. I would certainly shell out $30 for this though.

Any thoughts on perhaps maybe a price drop? Is that typical of Amazon arrow releases.

Preordered this at Arrow site, £22 /$28, they have this Early Bird offer😄

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

I guess, just seems odd that Uni would licence out BD AND 4K rights the first entry of one of their biggest properties. I can see Flash Gordon since it's one of their lower tier titles that has some popularity and has a 4k HDR master ready to go.

As I said recently to another gentleman, several studios including Universal have been licensing stuff for years and I think they've been itching to let the indies share some of the UHD workload, but the indies just haven't been able to take them up on it thus far. (The great thing about Arrow getting involved is that it's made other UK indies sit up and take notice, like 88 Films aksing on Facebook whether people want 4K. They aksed the worst possible audience, but it's something.)

And regarding Flash, I feel the opposite: admittedly I'm surprised that they let Pitch Black go to an indie but I'm even more surprised that Universal gave up Flash as it's a classic title they've been continually re-releasing for years, even celebrating with that Ted tie-in a few years back.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

I expected Universal to put this one out themselves, being the Riddock franchise is one of their biggest properties. Ironically, there were rumors floating around on some European sites of Universal putting out a UHD of Pitch Black solo or in a set with the other two Riddock movies.

I imagine Universal created this HDR master and were set to put it out themselves. But it sounds like ether Arrow wanted this title and the sequel enough to pay Uni whatever their ransom was, or Universal cut their Home Video department even further to focus on the bigger new releases and are licencing even more titles out recuperate from theatrical losses due to Corona.

It was timed for the release of Fast 9

[Comcam]

I’m sure it will go down. Flash Gordon just dropped to $19.99 for the standard release.

[Fang Zei]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Arrow also announced a standard region A/B BD.

What I meant was, is the UHD only going to include the main movie on UHD and not include a blu-ray?

From Bill Hunt’s post the other day, it appears Arrow’s Flash Gordon UHD won‘t include a regular blu-ray in the package and I was wondering if it was the same situation with Pitch Black.

[GiorgioV]

£21,99 on Amazon.

[levcore]

Watching the blu now, decent movie but not one I'll be upgrading.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by Fang Zei

What I meant was, is the UHD only going to include the main movie on UHD and not include a blu-ray?

Correct.

[NotASpeckOfCereal]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Gonna lock in my pre-order on Amaozn. No way will I front money to Diabolik. Not only that, you're locked in should the price go down elsewhere.

And it will.

Amazon's first price for an advance pre-order is always much higher than the price on release day. And you can cancel anytime (I even cancelled a disc that was in ship status once, though that's a risk).

I frequently cancel when the ship date arrives if it is cheaper at the local BestBuy, or the same price but Amazon doesn't manage to ship it on release day (as is increasingly the case).