Avatar Producer Talks 4 disc Ultimate Edition Blu-ray in November 2010

Wow - can't wait!

Thanks for the update. I hope the upcoming bare bones release flops - studios need to realize people aren't in the mood to double-dip these days.

Some people prefer these bare bone and cheaper releases.  I don't mind them releasing an ultimate version as long as we're made aware of it so we can make the choice of either skipping or not skipping the bare bones release.





Crawdaddy

I'd hardly go that far (besides, I don't think ANYTHING even remotely associated with Avatar will in any way be classified as a "flop").

Generally, I couldn't care less about special features and "Special Editions" of most movies out there.  Not only do I not have the time to watch them all, but the quality of the special features is so hit and miss that many aren't even worth watching to me.  It's not like the early days of DVD when the novelty of the bonus features was still high... it's simply waned for me over the last 5 or so years.

Avatar is one movie that is a definite exception - I will MAKE the time to watch the documentary and see how they did all of that.

To Robert's point - count me as one who, if given a choice between a cheaper bare-bones release and a pricier "special edition", will probably opt for the bare-bones version more often than not.

Yeah but isn't the version coming out on Tuesday something like 40 bucks? Bare-bones doesn't automatically mean cheaper.

It's going to be cheaper than that ultimate release.  You're not getting any new major film released on BRD less than 34.99 or 39.99 depending on the major studio. 

Try $25.

Having read that list of special features for the 4-disc edition, I've cancelled my order for next week's release, and will simply be Netflix-ing it, instead. Knowing Cameron, this November version's gonna be badass.

The UE will be worth it for the 2 hour documentary alone.  The "making of" docs for his previous films (we haven't seen one for True Lies) have been outstanding.  Among the best in the "extras" pantheon.

But I'll get this version so my son can see the film and as a "permanent" rental.

Agreed - "Under Pressure" (the Abyss) is one of the all-time great documentaries.  IIRC, it was produced/filmed independently of Twentieth Century Fox, so it was not under studio pressure to paint a rosy picture of what was a very stressful and problem-plagued production.  That's one of the things I liked most about it - the raw and honest approach.

With Avatar, on the other hand, I'm more interested in the technical side of the filmmaking process rather than any behind the scenes drama.  Knowing Cameron, and hearing what he's said in some recent interviews, I have no doubt that he's as anxious to share the making-of process with us as we are of learning about it.  Yay!

And Target will have it for $20.

Given the price and popularity of the movie, I think there's a good chance that it may become the best selling Blu-ray in history rather than bombing.

Totally agree.  I appricate Fox being up-front about it.

I had the opportunity to participate in disucssions with John Landau and James Cameron a few weeks ago.  The subject of the special edition version came up.  James Cameron went into a lot of detail about it.

Which means that Amazon's pre-order price guarantee will probably kick in and I'll get it for $20 anyway. If not I'll cancel and go to Target.

Speak for yourself.  The barebones edition is just fine for me, and I do not plan on double-dipping for the edition with all the extras in November.  The studio has been upfront regarding their plans, so I do not understand your attitude. If you do not want to double-dip and are interested in the extra features, just show a little self-control and wait for the November version.

This may be a situation where I buy the standard def disc first and wait for the BD SE. I like to have copies in both formats. Since into blu for about a year, I'm mainly adding blu versions of films I already have with fewer new films added.

edit: opps, I see that Amazon lists a combo pack. I'm not surprised by this and I welcome it! So both a DVD and BD will be in the set for $24. Not too bad, I can have my cake too and enjoy it in HD while we wait for the SE.

I will receive the bare bones blu-ray next week, and I can't wait...

I rarely watch any special features so the standard copy is just fine for me :)

Nelson,

Target is selling the Avatar release for 19.99 this week and Amazon will most likely pricematch within a day or two.





Crawdaddy

Target is selling what for $19.99, DVD or Blu-ray? Am I going to have to camp out at Target a day early to snag one of their 3 copies?

The BD is $19.99 at Target. The SD-DVD is even less expensive ($14.99, I think).

Since you are hoping the bare bones release flops, why would you want to camp out to buy a copy?

Again a missing Reply box - my 3rd today!


It is clear from about that in November there will be an Blu Ray Avatar with extras. Will there also come a similer non-BluRay release then?

I have no inside info but since Avatar was such a huge movie, I think it's safe to assume there will be a DVD and Blu-ray release of the SE.

I said I wanted it to flop. I didn't say I wasn't buying a copy. If (and that's a BIG if) Target actually has this in stock by the time I get off work on Thursday I'll grab one at that price. Since we're talking about a retailer that typically pulls bait-and-switch stunts like only stocking a few copies I'm not expecting to walk away with one. And I'm not going to take half a day off from work just so I can be one of the lucky few to get a cheap copy.  I decided I like Avatar enough to buy this version and not wait half a year just to get a couple of featurettes so what I'll do is wait for someone to sell theirs cheap on Amazon Marketplace. Capisce?

^ Amazon has now lowered their price to match Target's. So if you strike out at Target, you can still get it for $20.

Travis,

You beat me to the punch! 





Crawdaddy

Wow, I just sent them an email this morning asking for a price match with Target on my pre-order. I doubt that had anything to do with the price drop, but it is a nice coincidence.

$19.99 for the DVD/BD combo of AVATAR makes it a no brainer to buy, especially with some of the reviews that are starting to come out.

I agree.  As long as the studios are up front with us I have no problem with it.