Universal Details Plans for Blu-ray Releases

On Thursday Universal Studios outlined its plans for its first set of Blu-ray releases. As you know, Universal was an HD-DVD backer, but when the format collapsed, it naturally switched sides.

The first releases will be on July 22nd, with The Mummy franchise highlighted: The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, as well as the spin-off The Scorpion King will all release that day.

The first simultaneous Blu-ray / DVD release will be Doomsday.

Finally, the first global release will be Heroes, Season 2, which will release on August 26th, at the same time that the Blu-ray version of Heroes, Season 1 releases.

In a press release, Universal said:

Later in the year and in time for the holidays, five of the year's most promising feature films will arrive in high definition: THE INCREDIBLE HULK, the action-packed new chapter of one of the most popular Super Hero sagas of all time that stars Edward Norton, William Hurt and Liv Tyler; Wanted, the action-thriller from stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov that stars Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie; Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the epic vision of imagination from acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro; Mamma Mia!, the musical romantic comedy in which Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the adaptation of the beloved musical; and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the next installment in The Mummy franchise in which Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh and newcomer Luke Ford join the returning Brendan Fraser and John Hannah for a supernatural adventure that shifts the series to the Far East.

"We're thrilled that our preliminary slate of Blu-ray(TM) offerings comprises such a brilliant collection of high-def centric fare," said Mr. Kornblau. "As awareness for Blu-ray(TM) continues to grow, consumers will learn to rely on the superior quality picture, sound, interactivity and
connectivity that only high-definition home entertainment delivers."

Honestly, I'm not sure I would call that slate of movies a "brilliant collection," but that's just MHO.