After wowing TV audiences with a cutting-edge, animated look at "a galaxy far, far away," Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc November 3 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS COMPLETE SEASON ONE on Blu-ray and DVD, WALT DISNEY TREASURES: ZORRO THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON on DVD, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 on Blu-ray and DVD, G.I. JOE RESOLUTE on DVD, FORREST GUMP on Blu-ray and DVD, FRAGGLE ROCK: COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION on DVD, WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN: BEGINNING OF THE END and VOLUMES 1-3 on DVD, G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO: SEASON 1.2 on DVD
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA on Blu-ray and DVD
* Read our profile of Boyd Shermis, the overall visual effects supervisor on the film.
"There are a handful of things about the film, at least for me, that are unique and provided personal challenge," the overall visual effects supervisor suggests. "One was the Typhoon aircraft, which is the bladeless helicopter that uses vertical takeoff and landing technology. One of the things we wanted to do, in addition to giving it that advanced technology aspect, was to give it some flight characteristics that would make you feel like it's an advanced tactical fighter. Not like a spaceship, but something that would obey the laws of physics. So, one of my fun challenges was defining the animation style for this craft to make it do some really tricky stuff with gravity."
Press Release from Paramount
The ultimate elite fighting force hit the big screen to defend the world and ended up conquering it in the worldwide smash hit G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra, which earned over $280 million at the global box office. The action-packed, visually arresting adventure based on Hasbro’s immensely popular action figures including DUKE, SNAKE EYES, STORM SHADOW and the BARONESS makes its eagerly-awaited Blu-ray and DVD debut in two-disc sets and a single-disc DVD on November 3, 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy), G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra stars a hot young cast including Channing Tatum (Public Enemies), Marlon Wayans (Dance Flick), Sienna Miller (Factory Girl), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ((500) Days of Summer), Rachel Nichols (“Alias”) and Ray Park (X-Men), as well as veteran actors Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point) and Christopher Eccleston (Gone in Sixty Seconds).
The G.I. JOE team travels the world from the Egyptian desert to the polar ice caps and the streets of Paris in a high stakes pursuit of COBRA, an evil international organization threatening to use a technology that could bring the world to its knees. Armed with the coolest hi-tech gadgets and weapons, including jaw-dropping accelerator and camouflage suits, G.I. JOE is the last line of defense against those intent on world domination.
The G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra two-disc Blu-ray and DVD include a digital copy of the film, commentary by director Stephen Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay, “The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. JOE”, which takes viewers behind-the-scenes for a look at how the filmmakers turned the perennially popular action figures into a summer blockbuster and “Next-Gen Action: The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. JOE”, which showcases the incredible work that went into creating over 1,650 visual effect shots and the challenges the filmmakers faced in bringing the world of G.I. JOE and COBRA to life. The film also will be available on a single disc DVD, which includes the commentary.
The two-disc DVD and Blu-ray packages will also feature augmented reality technology that will allow owners to participate in an exclusive 3D holographic G.I. JOE combat experience, utilizing their webcams and a special website. Fans will be able to choose between SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW, two of the most popular G.I. JOE and COBRA characters, and battle against their enemies one-on-one in an immersive 3D video game.
Two-Disc DVD & Blu-ray:
The G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra two-disc ($24.99) and single-disc ($19.99) DVDs are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. The two-disc Blu-ray ($29.99) is presented in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The following special features are in standard definition:
Disc 1:
* Feature commentary by director Stephen Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay
Disc 2:
Digital Copy
The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. JOE— Join the G.I. JOE team as they set out to "Sommer-size" the summer action epic and bring G.I. JOE to the big screen.
Next-Gen Action: The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. JOE— With over 1,650 visual effect shots, G.I. JOE was a truly massive endeavor. Showcasing the hard work and creativity of the film’s effects and design team, this piece looks at the unique challenges of bringing the world of G.I. JOE and COBRA to life, while immersing viewers in the incredible thrills and various FX challenges of the film’s major action sequences.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS COMPLETE SEASON ONE on Blu-ray and DVD
* Read our feature on the TV series
"Art is a technological medium, and so a lot of it has to do with engineering, trying to figure out what you imagine," George Lucas continues in his assessment of the Clone Wars experience. "It's also a medium dictated by the amount of resources that you have available to you. If you're a pharaoh, you can build pyramids, if you're a shaman, you really only have a few pieces of chalk and a wall in a cave. And you have to work within that. Probably the most daunting thing we were trying to do is really push the limits of a TV show that is really beyond anything you've ever seen on television. To take feature animation, which costs 20 or 30 times what TV animation costs, and do that for television, was a challenge. Given enough time and money you can create anything. Given a very, very restricted budget and very, very restricted resources, [was daunting]."
Press Release from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video
Four-Disc Set Includes Companion Featurettes For All 22 Action-Packed Episodes And a Blu-ray Exclusive: Jedi Temple Archives
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (July 15, 2009) - After wowing TV audiences with a cutting-edge, animated look at "a galaxy far, far away," Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc November 3 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video.
Live the adventures again and again, and dig deeper into the first season of The Clone Wars with a comprehensive look behind-the-scenes of the popular animated series. Uniquely packaged with an exclusive 64 page production journal, the four-disc set contains all 22 episodes from the groundbreaking first season - including seven extended Director's Cuts - as well as companion featurettes for each episode. And exclusive to the Blu-ray disc, The Jedi Temple Archives provides in-depth access to an extensive database of creative materials.
"I'm a longtime Star Wars fan, and the same's true for a lot of the guys working on the show," said supervising director Dave Filoni. "And as a fan, I know that Lucasfilm can be pretty secretive. They're famous for it. But we're all so proud of the work that's gone into The Clone Wars, and we wanted to share some of our production tricks, and open up the vault and reveal our efforts. You're going to get unprecedented access, to see the nuts and bolts of our series - from concept to finished animation."
Created and executive produced by George Lucas, the first-ever TV production from Lucasfilm Animation explores the tumultuous time between Episodes II and III of the live-action saga, expanding the scope of Star Wars beyond anything seen in the feature films. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, the heroes of the Republic - including the valiant Jedi Knights and their loyal clone troopers - fight bravely to repel the attacks of the evil Separatists and their droid army.
"The live-action saga was just the beginning. The universe is vast, and there are so many more stories to explore beyond Anakin's fall and redemption," said Lucas. "The scope of the war gives us the perfect vehicle for a weekly series, allowing us to look at how the conflict has affected the farthest reaches of the galaxy, including characters, creatures and races we only glimpsed in the feature films. Animation has allowed us to visualize the worlds and characters of Star Wars in all new ways."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One will be available November 3 for the suggested retail price of $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.
Special Features:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is presented in widescreen with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:
Seven Director's Cut Episodes:
Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Lair of Grievous, Rookies, Storm Over Ryloth, Innocents of Ryloth and Liberty on Ryloth
22 Episodic Featurettes that go behind-the-scenes with Supervising Director Dave Filoni and crew about the making-of each episode
Spectacular 64 page production journal that includes early sketches, artist notes, and concept art from each episode from Season One
Blu-ray Exclusive - The Jedi Temple Archives
An extensive database exploring test footage, early concept art, 3-D character and object turnarounds and early animation. The Archives is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled throughout.
Synopsis
As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights - including Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master Yoda and padawan Ahsoka Tano - struggle to maintain order and restore peace. But despite the best efforts of these brave protectors, more and more planets are falling prey to the sinister forces of the dark side...
Star Wars: The Clone Wars features the voices of Matt Lanter ("90210") as Anakin Skywalker, Ashley Eckstein ("That's So Raven") as Ahsoka Tano, James Arnold Taylor ("The Spectacular Spider-Man") as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Tom Kane ("Wolverine and the X-Men") as Yoda.
Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucasfilm Animation and related character names, vehicle names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE
Street Date: November 3, 2009
SRP: DVD $44.98, Blu-ray $59.99
Total Episode Run Time: 484 Minutes
Featurette Run Time: 146 Minutes
MPAA Rating: TV-PG
Closed Captioned: Yes
WALT DISNEY TREASURES: ZORRO THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON on DVD
Press Release from Walt Disney
WALT DISNEY TREASURES: WAVE IX - Walt Disney Home Entertainment is proud to release Zorro, one of the most popular television shows in history on DVD November 3, 2009. The latest addition to the celebrated Walt Disney Treasures, Zorro, makes its fully restored black & white DVD debut. All 78 episodes of the timeless classic will be included on two new six-disc sets--making up the ninth installment of the popular Walt Disney Treasures, and for the first time, will be housed in collectible black, numbered unique tin cases.
From 1957 to 1959, Disney’s Zorro was one of the most popular series on television starring Guy Williams, Henry Calvin, and Gene Sheldon. The show helped transform the literary character Don Diego de la Vega into the ultimate iconic, beloved swashbuckling masked hero of the time. The adventures of Zorro and his trusty steed Tornado have captivated audiences since their inception, gaining new audiences when it was re-aired on the Disney Channel in 1983 and re-colorizing the episodes in the 1990s. After the series conclusion, the Zorro adventures lived on from 1960 to 1961 on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color in the form of a four-episode anthology series of hour-long Zorro specials, all of which are also included in Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX.
Both debut Walt Disney Treasures sets are hosted by noted film historian, author and critic Leonard Maltin. Each limited edition, individually numbered volume includes a Zorro pin, an authenticity certificate, exclusive lithograph and comes in a unique, collectible black tin.
BONUS MATERIAL
Zorro: The Complete First Season
* Zorro: El Bandido – Part 1 of a 2-part story shown as a 1-hour-special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: October 30, 1960)
* Zorro: Adios El Cuchillo - Part 2 of a 2-part story shown as a 1-hour-special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: November 6, 1960)
Zorro: The Complete Second Season
* Zorro: The Postponed Wedding – A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: January 1, 1961)
* Zorro: Auld Acquaintance – A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: April 2, 1961)
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 on Blu-ray and DVD
* VFX by Asylum FX
Press Release from Sony Pictures
CULVER CITY, CALIF. (August 17, 2009) – Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars go head-to-head in director Tony Scott’s (Man on Fire, Déjà Vu) summer box office action hit The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, coming to Blu-ray, DVD, PSP and Digital Download on November 3rd from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A remake of the 1974 suspense classic, based on a 1973 novel by Jon Godey, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 stars two-time Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington (Best Actor: Training Day, 2001; Best Supporting Actor: Glory, 1989) teamed with John Turturro (Transformers, O Brother, Where Art Thou) to battle against John Travolta (Basic,Swordfish) and Luis Guzmán (War, Punch-Drunk Love) in a heart-pounding story full of action, thrills and suspense deep inside the New York Subway system. After criminal mastermind Ryder (Travolta) takes a subway train hostage, MTA Dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) finds himself thrown into the middle of the explosive situation as he must find away to rescue all the hostages while not letting Ryder escape.
Bonus material on the Blu-ray and DVD releases include commentary from director Tony Scott, Writer Brian Helgeland and Producer Todd Black. Also included are behind-the-scenes featurettes, including “No Time to Lose: The Making of Pelham 123” and “The Third Rail – The NYC Subway System.”
The Blu-ray version exclusively includes a Digital Copy of the film for PC, PSP®, Mac or iPod. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 will be available on Blu-ray for $39.95 SRP, DVD for $28.96 SRP and UMD for $24.94 SRP.
SYNOPSIS:
Walter Garber (Washington) is a New York City subway dispatcher whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. Ryder (Travolta), the criminal mastermind behind the hijacking and leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there’s one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape?
Blu-ray and DVD Special Features Include:
* Commentary featuring Director Tony Scott, Writer Brian Helgeland, and Producer Todd Black
* "No Time to Lose: The Making of Pelham 1 2 3”
* “The Third Rail – The NYC Subway System”
* “Marketing Pelham”
* “From the Top Down: Stylizing Character”
Blu-ray Exclusive Features Include:
* An exclusive Digital Copy of the film for PC, PSP®, Mac or iPod
The Blu-ray Disc version of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is BD-Live enabled, allowing users to get connected and go beyond the disc via an Internet-connected Blu-ray player. Download exclusive content, register for rewards, give feedback through our survey and more!
Get rewarded for registering your Sony Blu-ray Discs! The Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club rewards consumers in the U.S. for purchasing and registering BD-Live enabled Sony Blu-ray movies. Members can redeem accumulated points for cool Sony products, plus enter to win cash and prizes in daily sweepstakes and more. For details visit www.sonyrewards.com/bluray.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 has a running time of approximately 121 minutes and is rated R forviolence and pervasive language. Visit Sony Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.
G.I. JOE RESOLUTE on DVD
Press Release from Paramount
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Experience G.I. JOE like never before when the action-packed G.I. JOE: RESOLUTE arrives on DVD for the first time ever November 3, 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Featuring a more sophisticated animation style and story than prior animation and intended for the adult fan that grew up with the brand in the 80’s, G.I. JOE: RESOLUTE is an intense vision of the raging battle between the G.I. JOE team and the menacing COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE team is a highly trained, classified special operations unit that officially doesn’t even exist. This elite team fights a secret war as the first and last line of defense against forces that seek to plunge our world into chaos.
Hasbro developed the bold, state-of-the-art animation with executive producer Sam Register as well as a dynamic creative team including Joaquim Dos Santos, a veteran animation director, who worked closely with award-winning comic writer Warren Ellis, who penned the story. This highly regarded team brings an edgy, intense feel to the animation, which features the most popular characters from the
G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga such as DUKE, SCARLETT, SNAKE EYES and COBRA COMMANDER.
The G.I. JOE: RESOLUTE DVD includes illuminating interviews with the filmmakers, storyboards, G.I. JOE files, exclusive bonus footage and a “Now You Know” teaser promo. The DVD will be available for the approximate retail price of
$19.99 U.S./$22.99 Canada.
DVD:
The G.I. JOE: RESOLUTE DVD is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital English 5.1 sound and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Special features are as follows:
*“Now You know” teaser promo
* Interviews with Filmmakers
* Storyboards
* JOE Files
About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com/loc_selector.cfm. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO: SEASON 1.2 on DVD
G.I. JOE is an elite group of special military operatives, fighting for freedom wherever there’s trouble. This is the second part of the first season of the animated series that introduced Hasbro’s popular line of 3 1/4-inch G.I. JOE action figures. It offers 22 action-packed episodes including the fan favorites “Viper Is Coming” and “The Gamesmaster.”
FORREST GUMP on Blu-ray and DVD
* VFX by ILM
Press Release from Paramount
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. – The cinematic triumph that became a worldwide phenomenon makes its highly-anticipated Blu-ray debut when FORREST GUMP arrives November 3, 2009 as part of Paramount Home Entertainment’s exclusive “Sapphire Series”. Capitalizing on the pristine picture and sound of the Blu-ray format, the Sapphire Series presents some of the greatest films ever made in the highest quality for the first time in two-disc, high definition sets*. The FORREST GUMP Blu-ray will include hours of new bonus features, plus previously released bonus material for the ultimate presentation of this classic film, which won six Academy Awards®, including Best Picture.
“I’m delighted that Forrest Gump is going to be a part of Paramount’s Sapphire Series so that fans can enjoy it at home with pristine picture and sound along with a wealth of special features to give the film context,” said director Robert Zemeckis. “It’s wonderful that Paramount is taking the time to produce exceptional Blu-ray presentations of these classic films.”
A Forrest Gump “Box of Chocolates” gift set will also be available on November 3, 2009 on either DVD or Blu-ray. The DVD gift set includes a two-disc presentation and the Blu-ray gift set includes the two-disc Sapphire Series presentation. Both gift sets come packaged in a “chocolate box” with chocolate scent, a commemorative booklet and a replica “Forrest Gump” feather bookmark.
Forrest Gump Blu-ray Details
The FORREST GUMP Blu-ray will be presented in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital along with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.
New special features are as follows:
* Greenbow Diary— This piece is constructed in the style of a classic verité documentary, allowing the viewer to experience what it was like on the set at the incredible shooting locations in the American South.
* The Art of Screenplay Adaptation—This segment dissects the process of adaptation and features new interviews with author Winston Groom, screenwriter Eric Roth and producers Wendy Finerman and Steve Starkey.
* Getting Past Impossible: Forrest Gump and the Visual Effects Revolution—This featurette celebrates the technical achievements of the film with a look at some of the “invisible” effects that served the narrative and interviews with VFX experts Ken Ralston and Doug Chiang.
* Little Forrest—This segment explores the development of the character Forrest Gump from Tom Hanks’ research into regional dialects to his meeting with the actor who would play young Forrest, whose natural voice helped inspire Hanks’ characterization.
* An Evening with Forrest Gump— On April 3, 2009, Robert Zemeckis, Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise and Eric Roth gathered at the USC School of Cinema for a screening of the film followed by a panel and Q&A for film students. The lively, uncensored reunion was captured in HD.
* Musical Signposts to History—This branching feature includes an introduction by renowned music journalist Ben Fong-Torres and 44 pods throughout the film allowing viewers to access video content that illuminates the iconic songs that helped set the stage for the film’s various time periods.
Previously released material includes:
* Commentary with Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Rick Carter
* Commentary by Wendy Finerman
* The Magic of Make-Up
* Through the Ears of Forrest Gump—Sound Design
* Building the World of Gump—Production Design
* Seeing is Believing—The Visual Effects of Forrest Gump
* Screen Tests
* Trailers
About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.
FRAGGLE ROCK: COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION on DVD
Press Release from The Jim Henson Company
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 10 - The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over 50 years, and LIONSGATE (NYSE:LGF) , the leading next generation studio, announced today that they have entered into a multi-year home entertainment distribution agreement. Under the terms of the arrangement, Lionsgate obtains the North American distribution rights to over 350 hours of content in The Jim Henson Company's extensive film and television library including television series, television specials and catalog home entertainment titles for DVD, EST and VOD channels. The first new titles scheduled to be released are the much anticipated Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season (Season 4) and Fraggle Rock: A Merry Fraggle Holiday in November 2009. The announcement was made by Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Family Entertainment and Peter Schube, President & COO, The Jim Henson Company.
"The Jim Henson Company has an incredibly rich legacy of properties. The Company's works are beloved by fans both old and young and we relish the opportunity to be able to bring properties like Fraggle Rock and Emmet Otter into the home," said Parducci. "Adding The Jim Henson Company name to our extensive family library is a major coup for us. We look forward to a long and successful partnership."
"Lionsgate has already proven itself to be a terrific distributor of favorites like 'Fraggle Rock' and 'Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas,' demonstrating the creativity and care these titles deserve and our fans expect," said Schube. "We are looking forward to collaborating with them to release more classic titles as well as to introduce lesser-known gems from the Company's library to our audience."
The deal with The Jim Henson Company continues to build on Lionsgate's tremendous success distributing product from some of the most prominent family brands in the marketplace. Currently the second largest distributor in the children's non-theatrical home entertainment category with a 17.6% market share, Lionsgate releases to DVD a virtual who's-who in family entertainment brands, including Speed Racer and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, Marvel Animated Features, Wolverine & the X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Scholastic's Clifford the Big Red Dog, American Greetings' The Care Bears, HIT Entertainment's Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Barney, Angelina Ballerina, MGA Entertainment's ever-popular Little Tikes brand, Cookie Jar Entertainment's The Doodlebops, Nelvana's Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends, and educational entertainment from LeapFrog Enterprises.
For The Jim Henson Company, the agreement is part of its current strategy to establish new brands like the recent preschool hits "Sid the Science Kid" and the upcoming "Dinosaur Train," as well as to relaunch existing library titles with strong partners across all platforms and media, as seen with the development of the upcoming "Fraggle Rock" and "Power of the Dark Crystal" features and "Farscape" webisodes.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury, reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an array of channel platform assets. Its feature film business achieved a record box office performance in the recent January-March 2009 quarter, driven by the success of "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail," "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and "The Haunting In Connecticut." The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com
ABOUT THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include "Sid the Science Kid", and "Pajanimals". Features include "The Dark Crystal," "Labyrinth," "MirrorMask," and "Unstable Fables." Television productions include "Fraggle Rock" and the sci-fi cult series "Farscape." With additional locations in New York and London.
The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment.
The Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of "Dinosaur Train," an animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company's Henson Alternative brand continues to produce "Puppet Up! - Uncensored," a live puppet improvisational show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Henson's earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the Company's enduring legacy. www.henson.com
WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN: BEGINNING OF THE END and VOLUMES 1-3 on DVD
Press Release from Lionsgate
This November, Marvel Animation and Lionsgate will bring fans the ultimate showdown between humans and mutants with the eagerly awaited third volume of the hit animated series Wolverine and The X-Men, as well as a boxed set containing the first three volumes of this fan-favorite show. Wolverine and The X-Men: Beginning of the End follows Wolverine and the X-Men as they face potential demise in five apocalyptic episodes featuring audio commentary from the show’s creators, and a glossed/embossed O-card. With the release of the third volume, new fans can jump on board in time for the holiday season with the release of the new box set Wolverine and the X-Men Volumes 1-3. The set is encased in bookcase sleeve packaging and comes complete with a unique collectible Wolverine and The X-Men Laser Cel (while supplies last) sure to appeal to collectors everywhere.
Both titles from the hit series arrive on DVD on November 3, 2009 with Wolverine and The X-Men: Beginning of the End available for the suggested retail price of $14.98, while Wolverine and the X-Men Volumes 1-3 is available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 -- an incredible value vs. buying each DVD individually!
With 45 years of best selling comic books, a massive fan base spanning all ages and three feature films grossing over one billion dollars at the box office, the franchise is a proven phenomenon. Volumes 1 & 2 of the hit TV series have already shipped over 350,000 units to date. Though the animated series is targeted to boys 6-11, it also appeals to comic book fans of all ages!
SYNOPSIS:
Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End:
Wolverine and the X-Men fight to stay alive as sinister forces usher in the beginning of the end. In Volume 3, five apocalyptic episodes weave together the tale of the X-Men’s potential demise. In “Future X,” deadly plans are set in motion when Xavier and Cerebro are captured by the malevolent Sentinels. “Greetings from Genosha” welcomes Nightcrawler into a world of killer seduction on Magneto's deceptive island paradise. Time is running out for Logan as he is haunted by the darkness of his past with Weapon X in “Past Discretions.” In "eXcessive Force," Cyclops blasts his way through one old foe after another to find the missing Jean Grey. And the X-Men make what might be their last stand in "Battle Lines", when Rogue uncovers the Brotherhood's seemingly unstoppable plan to trigger the war between mutants and humans.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Volumes 1-3:
Includes Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of the hit TV series Wolverine and the X-Men.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Heroes Return Trilogy: In the late 20th century, Professor Charles Xavier created The Institute for Gifted Youngsters, a place where young “mutants” could learn to harness their incredible abilities. But after a mysterious explosion devastated the school, Xavier’s students – the X-Men – disbanded and the man known as Wolverine struck out on his own. One year later, the fiercely independent Wolverine must reunite the X-Men to prevent the world from falling into chaos. Only together can the X-Men steer the course of history away from catastrophe!
Wolverine and the X-Men: Deadly Enemies: Join Wolverine and the X-Men as they continue their fight to prevent an unspeakable future! The action begins as the X-Men strive to free Storm from the Shadow King and Wolverine teams with Gambit to reclaim a collar that inhibits mutant powers. Nightcrawler battles Mojo’s pirates while Wolverine faces off against the Incredible Hulk – and a new enemy. And in a shocking request from Professor Xavier in the future, Wolverine and the X-Men must return a young mutant back to their biggest adversary, the MRD.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End: Wolverine and the X-Men face potential demise in five apocalyptic episodes! Xavier and Cerebro are captured by the malevolent Sentinels. Nightcrawler is lured onto Magneto’s sinister island paradise and Logan is haunted by his dark past with Weapon X. Cyclops takes on old and new foes, and battle lines are drawn when Rogue uncovers the Brotherhood’s terrifying plan to annihilate human and mutant kind alike.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End
*Audio commentary with Supervising Producer Craig Kyle, Head Writer Greg Johnson and Writer Chris Yost
*Astonishing X-Men: Gifted – The Motion Comic, Episode 1
Wolverine and the X-Men: Volumes 1-3:
Volume One:
*Character Profiles: Wolverine and the X-Men
*“Making of Wolverine and the X-Men” featurette
*Audio commentary with Supervising Producer Craig Kyle and Head Writer Greg Johnson
*Audio commentary with Lead Director Boyd Kirkland and Director Steven Gordon
*Nicktoons Network Going InScene - Wolverine and the X-Men
Volume Two:
*Audio commentary with Supervising Producer Craig Kyle, Head Writer Greg Johnson and Writer Chris Yost
Volume Three:
*Audio commentary with Supervising Producer Craig Kyle, Head Writer Greg Johnson and Writer Chris Yost
*Astonishing X-Men: Gifted – The Motion Comic, Episode 1
PROGRAM INFORMATION:
*Year of Production: 2009
*Title Copyright: Wolverine, The X-Men: TM & Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Animated Series: 2008 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Licensed by Marvel Characters B.V. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com Nicktoons: TM 2008 Viacom International Inc. LIONSGATE: TM & 2009 Lions Gate Entertainment. All rights reserved.
*Type: TV on DVD
*Rating: Not Rated
*Genre: Television, Animation, Action, Adventure, Children
*Closed Captioned: English
*Subtitles: English
*Format: Widescreen
*Feature Run Time: Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End - Approximately 110 minutes, Wolverine and the X-Men: Volumes 1-3: Approximately 291 minutes
*DVD Audio Status: 5.1 English and 2.0, Spanish Dolby Digital
*Website: http://www.marvel.com
Lionsgate Home Entertainment has slated both the Wolverine And The X-Men: Beginning of the End DVD and Wolverine and The X-Men: Volumes 1 - 3 collection for a November 3rd, 2009 release.
