Why no Smokey and the Bandit release in the US?

[VOODOO]

I've noticed that Smokey and the Bandit has been released on Blu-ray in various countries around the world, but not in the United States.

Does anyone know what the hold up is?

[hidef al]

Maybe because it was already released on HD DVD.

[VOODOO]

Originally Posted by hidef al

Maybe because it was already released on HD DVD.

I wonder if the studio is going to give "Smokey and the Bandit" a more complete release than what other countries have gotten?

"Smokey and the Bandit" is a uniquely American film. I would think that the Blu-ray would have a much wider appeal in the US than anywhere else. Maybe that's why they are taking their time with the American release rather than the pretty bare bones edition other regions are getting?

Smokey and the Bandit is still one of the biggest box office hits of all time in America when inflation is taken into account. As a matter of fact it was second only to Star Wars the year it was released.

[hidef al]

I do hope it gets released on blu-ray some day. Maybe some kind of an Anniversary Edition or something. Time will tell I guess. But for now I'll stick with my HD DVD copy.

[erock515054]

Smokey and the Bandit and The Blues Brothers are two movies that I have been awaiting a long time to be released on Blu

[marine92104]

I'm waiting for this one also. Hopefully they'll release it this year.

Titles I'm still waiting on from Universal Studios on Blu-ray that was released on HD DVD:

Liar Liar
Animal House
Nutty Professor 1 & 2
Notting Hill
Patch Adams
Smokey & the Bandit
The Sting

[Crimson King]

Target has the Special Edition DVD on sale for $3.74 until 4/23/2011, I just went ahead an picked it up, YES I KNOW IT's A DVD BUT IT WILL HAVE TO DO TILL A BLU VERSION IS RELEASED STATESIDE.

I would love to see all the Hal Needham classics eventually on blu!

[Indiana Jones]

Why not import? its a Universal release so no region coding and can be had for next to nothing, got mine from Amazon.co.uk for £6.99

[Arkadin]

that's too complicated for most people apparently.

[Daikichi Kawachi (河地大吉)]

Originally Posted by marine92104

I'm waiting for this one also. Hopefully they'll release it this year.

Titles I'm still waiting on from Universal Studios on Blu-ray that was released on HD DVD:

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is definitely available on BD. It's $9.99 currently at Target. I've come close to buying it several times but then I see a different BD that is on offer and I go with that instead.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Why not import? its a Universal release so no region coding and can be had for next to nothing, got mine from Amazon.co.uk for £6.99

It's as easy as that.

Universal will release it here, but who knows when.

[VOODOO]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Why not import? its a Universal release so no region coding and can be had for next to nothing, got mine from Amazon.co.uk for £6.99

Because I'm betting that any US release is going to be better than the near bear bones edition that you can pick up at Amazon at the moment...There has to be a logical reason that Smokey and the Bandit isn't out on Blu-ray in the US yet.

[demers_60]

Originally Posted by Caleb

If it was going to be released on blu-ray I would want the 3 movie bundle.

Why on earth would you want 2 and 3? The first is the only one worth owning. Same as with the Back To The Future trilogy. Just my opinion.

[VOODOO]

Originally Posted by demers_60

Why on earth would you want 2 and 3? The first is the only one worth owning. Same as with the Back To The Future trilogy. Just my opinion.

The second one was pretty mediocre/bad, but the third one may be the worst film ever released by a major studio...How the hell did Jackie Gleason ever agree to do that film? Even Burt (Stroker Ace instead of Terms of Endearment) Reynolds had the common sense to stay away from part 3.

Believe it or not Smokey and the Bandit 3 was shot as "Smokey is the Bandit" with Gleason taking over the Reynolds part. It went over so bad with test audiences that they decided to re-shoot the majority of the film with Jerry Reed taking over Reynolds role.

Check out this long lost trailer for "Smokey is the Bandit" that hit the net a few months back. Until recently most people thought "Smokey is the Bandit" was just a myth or simply fabricated by fanboys.

YouTube - Very Rare Smokey is the Bandit Trailer Jackie Gleason

[TLeeTx2012]

Originally Posted by Caleb

If it was going to be released on blu-ray I would want the 3 movie bundle.

Ditto. Even if 2 isn't as good as 1...& 3 is a stnker.

[demers_60]

Originally Posted by VOODOO

The second one was pretty mediocre/bad, but the third one may be the worst film ever released by a major studio...How the hell did Jackie Gleason ever agree to do that film? Even Burt (Stroker Ace instead of Terms of Endearment) Reynolds had the common sense to stay away from part 3.

Believe it or not Smokey and the Bandit 3 was shot as "Smokey is the Bandit" with Gleason taking over the Reynolds part. It went over so bad with test audiences that they decided to re-shoot the majority of the film with Jerry Reed taking over Reynolds role.

Check out this long lost trailer for "Smokey is the Bandit" that hit the net a few months back. Until recently most people thought "Smokey is the Bandit" was just a myth or simply fabricated by fanboys.
YouTube - Very Rare Smokey is the Bandit Trailer Jackie Gleason

Now I feel like watching Patton.

[VOODOO]

Back on topic. Does anyone know when the film will see an offical release in the States?

[VOODOO]

Bump

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by VOODOO

Bump

Now would be nice, but who knows. I thought the most recent DVD looked pretty darn good, although I should take a look at it again and scrutinize it more.