How will the biggest film in motion picture history play in its eagerly awaited home version? Very simply, if you must know. 20th Century Fox is preparing to release 'Avatar' on Blu-ray and DVD on Earth Day (April 22). With a multi-platform campaign in the works, this edition of the Oscar-winning phenomenon is a movie-only package. As for 3D? Not in 2010.
After a sensational run that turned James Cameron's "Avatar" into a pop culture legend, the highest grossing film in motion picture history is finally coming home. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment recently announced that the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the Oscar-winning blockbuster will be in stores on April 22.
While the release is set to coincide with Earth Day (in keeping with the film's lauded eco-friendly message), the studio has confirmed that it will be seen in a "vanilla" edition. That means no special features will be included on either version. Even the menus will not be specially designed, ensuring plenty of disc space is available for the epic sci-fi drama. In a recent Los Angeles Times report, the studio has confirmed that the "Avatar" Blu-ray will be the first major new studio release to not feature any trailer or other promotional programming at all.
"We went to Fox and told them that, for this movie, we wanted to do something really special and reach for the best presentation of any film in the history of the format," producer Jon Landau said to the L.A. Times. "This is a movie that has done the unexpected every step of the way. Fox agreed with us and the result is amazing. Everything that is put on a disc takes up room -- the menus, the extras, the trailers and studio promotions -- and we got rid of all of that so we could give this movie the best picture and sound possible."
Expect further editions of "Avatar" to follow with a multi-disc "ultimate version" already set for release this November. Just in time for the holidays, of course.
And how will the home versions harness its groundbreaking use of 3D?
Despite recent gains in this technology for the home markets, early reports that Fox would issue a 3D version this year were erroneous. Still, Landau insists a 2D version will remain as potent an experience at home as its blockbuster theatrical run.
"There are details that you can see on the Blu-ray that are just amazing," Landau continued. "And the reason the movie has done so well isn't because of the 3-D, it's because of the story and the messages and the imagination. The way I view the Blu-ray is a chance for people to go back to Pandora."
Audiences can expect a suggested retail price of $29.98 on DVD and $39.99 on Blu-ray. Fox sources however did offer to the Times that initial "shelf" prices will be $19.99 for the DVD and $29.99 for the Blu-ray.
Will "Avatar" also make home-video history and surpass "The Dark Knight" as the biggest selling DVD/Blu-ray title ever? Stay tuned.
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