As always, the physical 4K version will include HDR10 high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos audio. Per Disney’s press release the aspect ratio will be 2.39:1 on disc (with the IMAX Enhanced ratio saved for Disney+). Extras will include audio commentary with Raimi, Richie Palmer, and Michael Waldron, 3 featurettes (Method to the Madness, Introducing America Chavez, and Constructing the Multiverse), a gag reel, and 3 deleted scenes. You can see the cover artwork above left and also below.
We’ve also got a bit of rumor control for you: There are reports circulating online today that James Cameron’s The Abyss is coming to 4K Ultra HD in August from Disney and 20th Century Studios. That’s not impossible, but it is unlikely. Here’s what we can confirm for sure: The title is definitely being prepared for release on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray in the months ahead, as is the original Avatar. But our industry sources are telling us (and we circled back with them just yesterday) that it’s more likely to come very late this year (with the theatrical release Avatar: The Way of Water) or early next year (with Avatar 2’s home release). The situation is fluid and not unlike what we just went through with Michael Mann’s Heat. We first heard from studio sources that the title was coming to 4K well over a year ago—and the release was originally expected in August 2021—only to see it delayed again and again, reportedly due to the difficulties of getting the director and all relevant parties to sign off on everything. (Sound familiar?) The bottom line is both The Abyss and Avatar are coming to 4K sooner rather than later. But as always, it’s best not to hold your breath waiting for it right now because a lot is in flux and until it’s officially announced... it ain’t official.
We have three more pieces of 4K news for you today: First, Blue Underground has revealed that they’re working on a new Ultra HD release of Henry Miller’s Quiet Days in Clichy (1970) for release sometime this fall, mastered from a new 4K/Dolby Vision scan and restoration of the recently-discovered uncut and uncensored negative.
Also, Arrow Video has set Joel Schumacher’s Flatliners (1990) for 4K Ultra HD release on 8/2, complete with a new 4K scan and Dolby Vision HDR grade supervised by cinematographer Jan de Bont.
And Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957) for 4K UHD release on 8/23.
In regular Blu-ray news, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set When Tomorrow Comes (1939) and Mercenary Fighters (1988) for release on 8/23 (the latter from Code Red).
And don’t forget that Universal has set the TV classic The A-Team: The Complete Series for release on Blu-ray on 6/28.
We’ll leave you with a look at the cover artwork for a few of the titles mentioned above, with Amazon pre-order links if available...
Back tomorrow with more. Stay tuned!
(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)