Ask questions to Fox insider "Fox Executive"

[iceman]

This thread is dedicated to asking questions of industry insider "Fox Executive" (Fox insider) who has graciously taken the time to participate here. Fox Executive and all our insiders do this out of their free time and to try to keep us informed to their best abilities, and therefore are to be treated with respect and courtesy.

Before asking a question, please skim at least the last weeks worth of posts in order to make sure that the question hasn't already been asked or answered. Using the search function is also always a good idea. Please conduct your inquiries in a professional manner and avoid asking "chicken little" questions or asking when unannounced titles will come out.

Fox Executive - Fox - Track posts

[Fox Executive]

I'll check this as often as possible and will reply. Please be patient.

[Bullseye]

Hi Fox Exe and welcome. Do you think this year Fox will release some TV Series such as Bones, XFiles and Buffy on BD?

[Jack Torrance]

Hello and and welcome Fox Executive!

Do you know if Michael Mann's THIEF (MGM) is slated for a blu-ray release? It showed just recently on the MGM-HD channel which was an incredible improvement over the outdated 1998 DVD release.

Fox/MGM Blu titles are among the very best out there! MR. BROOKS, THE FLY, 28 MONTHS LATER, SUNSHINE, MAN ON FIRE were just fantastic.

[BluStar88]

We are happy to have you here.

I was wondering when we might see 24 the tV show on bluray. Also if there is any plans to release the classic alien flicks.

[HDJK]

Welcome

Sony (and I think Disney) also care about different starting dates for movies in theaters worldwide and therefore region code their new releases; however, the region codeded discs will be replaced by region free discs after a 1 year period. Is this something that FOX is considering as well? I would love to get some FOX movies in German (for the kids) but I'm not eager to buy a region 2 BD player (not soon anyway).

Thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions.

[msetten]

Indeed a very warm welcome.

Related to HDJK's question: I noticed that FOX region encodes (almost) all its Blu-Ray releases. I can understand that for released of movies that have just been in the theatres (and which may still be in theatres in other countries), but why also the catalogue releases? What is the reason behind this? I could imagine that making on Blu-Ray master for the whole world would be much cheaper (just include a few additional language tracks and many subtitles, just like Warner did for Harry Potter). I especially wonder, as some of the Region A catalogue releases are more interesting than the release of the same move in Region B.

Furthermore in line with all the other requests for releases: are there any plans to release the TV series FireFly on Blu-Ray?

[Weez_Dawg]

Hello and welcome,

I have about 10 BD by fox and only one of them is subtitled in Korean, "Broken Arrow". My wife being Korean this is a nice addition to an already great product. My question is if Fox is going to add Korean subtitles to more of there releases or is this just a random addition?

[Drewza89]

Hello,

Do you have any idea as to when X-Men 1 and 2, Home Alone 1 and 2, Romancing the Stone, The Sandlot, or Donnie Darko will be released on Blu-ray?

Thank you very much for your time and effort!

[patrick99]

Welcome! I just wanted to express my gratitude for the outstanding PQ on Fox's post-hiatus releases. Mr. Brooks, Silver Surfer, Die Hard 4, Prison Break, and Man on Fire are among the very best looking high def discs available. I very much hope that Fox continues to give us this very high level of PQ. Thank you!

[saxwork]

First, Thank you to everyone at Fox for their support of Blu and commitment to excellence and quality.

My question is probably the most expected one. The Star Wars Saga on Blu-Ray. Could you help explain exactly how involved Fox is on this release? Is all the decision making up to LucasFilm or does Fox have any input? Secondly, have there been any discussions with the LucasFilm camp, big or small, about a Blu-Ray release and can you share any information, however small, with us.

Thanks!

[NutsAboutPS3]

Welcome Fox Executive! I've tried to keep my questions fairly general:

1) Is Fox considering remastering old TV series such as Buffy or Angel for Blu-ray release, in a similar way to how Paramount has remastered Star Trek TOS for HD DVD? What factors would affect whether Fox is willing to undertake such a remastering?

2) Are you able to comment on why Fox uses DTS HD MA as the only lossless audio track for Blu-ray releases?

3) Are you able to comment on the reasons for all Fox titles being region coded, even catalogue titles?

4) Would it be possible for Fox to avoid some of the "when is title x coming?" questions by maintaining a rough roadmap of key title release dates, even if it's just Q1 2008, Q2 2008 etc for up to a year ahead?

5) Are you able to comment on what drives the decision to release a title on BD-25 vs BD-50?

Finally, I just wanted to feed back that a lot of my DVD collection consists of Fox titles, and I'm very impressed by the quality of the Fox Blu-ray releases, particularly the high bitrate BD-50 releases. I look forward to being able to replace more of my Fox DVDs with Blu-rays, with the Alien Quadrilogy set being the one I'm personally most highly anticipating.

Thanks, in advance.

[WriteSimply]

Hello FoxE(xcutive) (puts US$5 in the coffer)! Welcome to the forum!

1) Assuming that the unrated cut of Die Hard 4.0 is finished but could not be encoded, mastered and replicated in time last year, what is Fox's plan on this version? Would you release it in 2008? If so, would you do a rebate like what Disney did with The Rock (US$10 for a proof-of-purchase of the DVD version)?

2) Is an X-Men Trilogy BD box set coming soon, now that Wolverine and a new X-Men movie is in pre-pro?

3) Is there going to be a release of Timur Bekmambetov's Night Watch and Day Watch?

Thanks a bunch. Have a good day!


fuad

[Go Blu]

Welcome!

How much/what type of input will 20th Century Fox have in eventually brining the Star Wars fanchise to Blu-ray Disc?

Thanks!

[ozjad]

Hi Fox exec,

wondering whether there are any plans for Fox/MGM to release Stargate The Ark of Truth and Stargate Atlantis on BD in 2008?

Thanks in advance

[Grisle]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

EDIT: I asked a stupid question about an unannounced movie without seeing that I shouldn't have so I would just like to reiterate that we're happy that you're here and I'll try to think of a great question for you later...thanks!

[elwaylite]

Welcome.

[space2001]

Hi and Welcome.

Was Just wondering since on DVD we still don't have a proper version of True lies, will there one be coming on blu-ray for us. Thanks.

[Slec]

Thank you for taking some time to check out blu-ray.com and answer some of our questions.

Can you comment on how catalog titles are chosen for release? To my uninformed and untrained eye, I can't seem to figure out the pattern. It seems a smattering of popular (box office wise) titles mixed in with titles that may be less so. Maybe that's all there is to it.

Thanks again for your time, and please don't get frustrated by the unannounced title requests, we are trying to figure out how to stop them. We really do appreciate you making the effort to come here!

[sj001]

Hi! Welcome Fox Exec!

I have a quick question for you. Do you foresee Fox using DTS-MA for it's Blu-rays in the future, or is this perhaps just a contract with DTS that has you locked up for a certain period of time. Reason I ask is a lot of folks can't take advantage of the audio on your discs, and it would be nice to have PCM uncompressed audio. Thoughts?

Thanks for your time!