Will Paramount go Blu in time for There Will Be Blood?
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Mar 20th 2008 5:20PM
posted Mar 20th 2008 5:20PM
Things have been quiet in the ex-Red camp recently, and James from FWC brings up a good point, what's the deal with Paramount and Universal? Although it's too early to get concerned, it is only three weeks until the Oscar Winning, There Will Be Blood is set to be released on DVD. The Hollywood Reporter did say it expected both studios to release titles by late spring/early summer, but April 8th is more like mid-spring. The other title we'd miss is Cloverfield, which is due to release on April 22nd. We can kinda understand it taking Universal a little while to get up to speed on Blu-ray, but certainly Paramount hasn't forgotten how to make Blu-ray Discs between now and last August.
Cmon give me some Cloverfield on Blu!!
I'm definitely hoping for that one, but if it's a choice between delaying it for a few weeks, or skimping on extras, I vote for delaying the Blu-ray a bit. Cloverfield is a movie that would really benefit from extras, so I can be patient. :)
Does anyone else think it's ironic to release Cloverfield on HD?
@ Godfa7h3r
Technically the hand-held they used in Cloverfield was an HD camera.. those hip kids just had deep pockets xP
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Para remembers how to make Blu's ;)
Even just a release slate for the summer would be great, come on Para!
Stop stallin' you bastards!!!
wasn't there a story not too long ago that the problem isn't the studios it's there's no more room on the production lines for them to get the disc's made
i remember there was a news post recently that sony was spending millions on new equipment for its blu-ray factories... the problem is theres not many factories, and they've also got to crank out ps3 games, seeing as those are blu-ray too.
True, but PS3 games are all on BD-25's (as far as I know anyway, except for the upcoming MGS4), and it's really only BD-50 production that is being constrained.
It's not like they won't produce it in Blu, just possibly not at first. If you're that torn up about it, you probably should've seen it in that theatre to begin with ;)
Just nextflix the badboy and if you must still buy dvds/br then buy it when it comes out. I know that I'm the industry's nightmare consumer as I just netflix anymore. No point for me really to showing off what discs I bought that are now collecting dust.
i'm with you on that one just picked up 4 new releases at a pawnshop for $4 a piece... i'm done blowing money on movies i'll watch twice a year
Gee, do you suppose all those HD DVD claims about how blu-ray discs needed expensive and all-new production lines might have been the truth?
What you want to bet that the existing Blu-ray studios locked up all the disc production slots right after Warner went blue, knowing that their competitors Universal and Paramount would be left out in the cold.
You and I may want Universal and Paramount selling discs, but Sony and Warner etc would be quite happy having the market to themselves for a while.
BD-50 replication is constrained....
You think BD's just get authored over night? jesus christ.
Good point. BD's can't be authored overnight, but Jesus could do it.
Ha ha. Jesus could do it!
Universal and Paramount never released anything to speak of on HDDVD, why would they start now?
The only valid and logical reason why they are not releasing the titles now is that Blu-ray costs too much to produce. Not surprising, since we knew that. Also, with the numbers of sales that we've seen in past weeks they have no way to recoupe the investment.
It's very obvious that unlike BDA studios like Fox, Warner and Lionsgate who were heavily subsidized by Sony in Blu-Ray production (I won't count Sony, Columbia Pictures and Tristar as they are basically Sony), Universal and Paramount are now not. This most likely hints at the reality of pretty high costs of production of Blu-Ray discs and with fully valid reasoning these studios are hesitant to release titles.
Also, it has been very clear recently that Paramount and Universal are going all in with digital downloads. Just look at the support they are giving to these new services coming out.
Another reason, why Blu-Ray will have a lot of trouble going past niche audience.
what a bunch of hogwash, lol.
We'll see. If they bomb this Xmas, then you'll have a point.
I chalk it up to posturing... but you make some good points, I have noticed that paramount has been all about offering downloads.
I don't doubt both will start releasing BD's soon... too much money to leave on the table for them.
Replication fees between HD DVD and Blu Ray have been compared before now and have been shown to be close with BD being cheaper per Gb than HD DVD. There may be capacity issues that cause costs to fluctuate with demand but spouting theories that there is some extra cost inherent to the format which is driving studios off is pure baloney.
Damn them!!!!...I can wait for blu from either studios(whenever that is)...I haven't even picked Transformers DVD from Para or Uni...just order it in HD from Directv until the bastards comply!!!
Some studios obviously were keen to get blu ray off the ground and others not, but at the end of the day it's all about economics, maybe there is no $ in BR yet for it to be a viable option at this time.
Add to that, Paramount and Universal in particular have always had an anti blu ray stand, I wouldn't think either party will be in any great hurry to support blu ray, there could even be some internal politics still at play as well.
Also, you cant help but think some of the original anti BR stance MAY have come from resentment or mistrust at another movie studio, sony, calling the shots and dictating terms, time will tell.
last article to report on this stated that they were still sorting out with toshiba how much of their bribe money they get for remaining loyal...
lol.. you realize that from the moment when Toshiba announced they will stop supporting HD DVD, none of these studios had legal obligations anymore.
Just a side note: "No Country for Old Men" was produced and distributed by Paramount Vantage and Mirimax. It was released on Blu-Ray.
Paramount Vantage and Mirimax also produced (while only Mirimax distributed in the US) "There Will be Blood." I have a feeling it will be on Blu-Ray.
I'm sure Paramount will get around to it but in the grand scheme of thing I dont think the give a rats @$$ as HD/BD (whatever) isnt that great a marketshare. They'll be more interested in getting it out to VOD.