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Lionsgate, Studiocanal to distribute Miramax movies, Pulp Fiction Blu-ray coming in June
Lionsgate and Studiocanal have signed a deal with Miramax to distribute its library of movies around the world, with Lionsgate handling things in the US while Studiocanal takes over the UK and Europe. Most specifically, Miramax CEO Mike Lang reveals in a blog posting that the first three Scream movies will be rereleased when Scream 4 comes to theaters in April, and the long awaited Pulp Fiction Blu-ray will finally be released in the US in June. All the rest of the details are in the press release after the break, check the blog post for more of his thoughts on DVD extras and the future of digital delivery -- Ultraviolet isn't mentioned by name, but clearly he thinks the digital locker concept is the future of video.
Rumor: New Silent Hill movie based on Silent Hill 3, will be in 3D
Back in August, Fangoria was told that the sequel to the Silent Hill movie was on hold following screenwriter Roger Avary's legal issues. But now that same publication has heard that the movie's back on -- Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is supposedly in preproduction, will follow the story of Heather Mason from Silent Hill 3, and yes, will be in 3D. Michael J. Bassett is attached to write and direct, with Lionsgate, Konami and Davis Films doing the production. All of this is still just rumored, but Helldescent reports that producer Don Carmody expects an official announcement "very soon." We'll leave the pre-judgment of 3D to you guys, but we will go ahead and begin a dirge for poor James Sunderland of Silent Hill 2, whose story is apparently not good enough to make into a movie. Poor James -- not only did he get terrorized by his own sexual dysfunctions, but Hollywood hates him, too.
Kane and Lynch film needs a new director
Following the inexplicable trend of movies based on video games getting totally derailed before they even start filming, it seems the once-certain production of Kane and Lynch has become ... decidedly less so. LA Times reports that planned director Patrick Alessandrin (District 13: Ultimatum) is no longer behind the reins of the movie. As a result, the movie's shooting schedule, planned to start next month, has been delayed. A representative from Millennium Films confirmed that "the director has not been chosen" and that the film's "start date is TBD." If you're part of the ever-burgeoning community of high-profile film directors who read this site (what up, Spiels?), consider this your invitation to step in and save the day. That is, if you think you can handle the raw thespianic force of a Willis/Foxx collaboration.
Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1
Netflix streaming queue starting to look a little stale? It's working on that, and has signed a deal that brings EPIX's library of movies to Watch Instantly -- just not that instantly. If you're not familiar with EPIX, allow us to refresh you, it's a network launched last year by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate that brings their movies home (though often unfortunately cropped and zoomed to 16x9) through a linear channel, video on-demand or internet streaming. Under this new agreement, movies from those studios can come to Netflix 90 days after they debut on the premium pay-tv and subscription VOD services. While that means streamers won't get access to Iron Man 2, The Expendables, or Dinner for Shmucks anywhere near day-and-date with their DVD or Blu-ray releases, those kinds of high profile flicks will show up and stick around with greater regularity than we've been used to. The companies haven't released further details, but rumors reported by the L.A. Times suggest licensing costs could reach $1 billion over the next 5 years. The first movies covered by the new deal arrive September 1, likely with flicks from the Star Trek, James Bond and Indiana Jones series (hopefully not Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) among them. Update: Analyst Dan Rayburn claims on Business of Video that Netflix won't be getting any EPIX movies in HD, so we asked Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey whether we could expect HD streaming movies with Movie Parties or if they would have Starz-like restrictions. The answer? "HD over time and no restrictions on Party Viewing." Take from that what you will.
Clips from Kick-Ass Blu-ray show off exclusive special features
Kick-Ass comes to Blu-ray next week, and it seems Lionsgate has been dropping clips of the special features all over the web in preparation for its release. Not surprisingly for a studio with a rep for pushing the technological limits, it has plenty of Blu-ray exclusives planned, including "Ass Kicking Bonus View Mode" to draw together commentary, background footage and graphics along with the movie, and the "A New Kind of Superhero: The Making of Kick-Ass" documentary. Check out the most recent clip from MovieWeb embedded after the break, along with a few others TheHDRoom has found floating around the net, and check out the movie when it's released August 3.
Lionsgate brings Apocalypse Now to Blu-ray October 19
Lionsgate has worked out a deal with director Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Corporation that allowed it to release his most recent flick, Tetro, but the big news is what's next -- Apocalypse Now. The classic Vietnam War flick arrives on high definition for the first time October 19 in two different packages, a 2-disc set with the original cut and Apocalypse Now: Redux version and nine hours of special features, or a "Full Disclosure Edition" that tosses in a third disc with Hearts of Darkness making of documentary, collectible booklet and archived photos and marketing info. No word on a price tag for either, but after that expect to see The Conversation up next.
Lionsgate first to sign content deal with XStreamHD
XStreamHD is the videophile's digital distribution dream, but a dream is what it has remained for almost three years. The bad news is the 1TB Whole Home Media Server and clients aren't shipping yet, but the good news is one of the big studios has signed a deal with XStreamHD to distribute titles day and date with DVD, as well as access to 12,000 catalog titles. This, of course, has to be one of many such deals if the service is to be successful -- high quality 1080p video and DTS-HD alone won't be enough. The content isn't the only thing that concerns us though, as the up front cost for hardware (we admit we really like the user interface) and the $9 monthly service fee is a lot to swallow for the privilege of renting movies at $3 to $6 a pop. We'll reserve judgment until we get to play with it for ourselves, but distribution deals like this and a great demo is a good start, if you can call it at start after all this time. The full details are tucked in the press release after the jump.
Paramount, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. & Sony Pictures movies finally available (legitimately) in DivX
Over the last few years we've witnessed a slew of DivX Certified devices including HDTVs, DVD & Blu-ray player, set-top boxes, game consoles and even cell phones, but until now, despite several content agreements, in the U.S. there hasn't been any content available in the format from the major studios. That changes today now that online store FilmFresh.com, has signed up Paramount, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. & Sony Pictures to offer new release and archive movies for purchase as DivX formatted downloads. The bad news? For now at least, they'll be standard definition (stereo audio) only. Rick Bolton, CEO of Film Fresh as well as Eric Grab and John Greene of DivX filled us in on the details, and from what we've learned -- if you'll stand for lower res video -- the combination of compatibility and portability could make this download service a competitor against the likes of iTunes, CinemaNow and Zune.
Verizon to offer Epix movie channel / streaming service on FiOS, VCast
TV channel / online service combo Epix has finally locked up its first distribution partner, Verizon's FiOS TV. Not a lot of details are available yet, but Viacom CEO Phillippe Dauman says it can offer the service a la carte, in bundles with broadband, and even plans a mobile VCast offering. We've already had a peek at the in-beta HD streams and saw a lot to like, with planned access on three screens and flicks from MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount locked up for years to come Epix is shaping up as a very formidable offering prior to its planned October launch.Update: Epix hit us off with the official PR (posted after the break) but here's the most important details - in the coming weeks, Verizon customers will be able to access a preview of the network, either through their VOD menu on the FiOS set-top box, or by visiting EpixHD.com and entering their account info.
Lionsgate imagines Wii movie store 'will launch worldwide soon'
Lionsgate president of digital media Curt Marvis is hopeful that Nintendo will launch a worldwide movie store sometime soon. In an interview with Casualgaming.biz, Marvis explained that Lionsgate's current strategy is to sell more film and television properties through connected video game consoles. According to Marvis, the horror and action genres are best suited for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 users, but the Wii is likely to sell more "mass-market" content, due to its "broader audience." Currently, the Nintendo Wii has streaming film and television content available in Japan, although rumors have been swirling that Netflix is a possibility on the console Stateside. Thanks for at least stirring the pot in a different direction, Curt!
Redbox scores deal with Disney, Lions Gate and Sony
At the same time as Universal is waiting to hear how the Redbox lawsuit turns out, Disney, Lions Gate and Sony have signed deals that help Redbox to get a better deal on movies. The studios have faced that fact that $1 kiosk rentals are here to stay and figure they might as well get something out of the deal. Unlike the deals with the likes of Blockbuster that share rental revenues with the studios, Redbox seems to be simply agreeing to lesser terms like not selling used DVDs at discounted prices. No word on when or if the rest of the studios will get with the program and accept that rental kiosks are here to stay. But it is obvious that $1 seem to be just the right price for most consumers. Read -- Sony Pictures, Redbox Sign Movie Agreement (WSJ sub required)Read - Studios Rethink Redbox (WSJ sub required)
Epix HD 720p movie streaming service eyes-on
After making sure there was a domain name locked down for Epix, the new premium movie network formed by Studio 3 Networks (Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM) it was all about taking advantage of an early peek at the 720p Flash powered site to see what a new generation of home movie distribution has to offer. The tech end (opening up to invited users this week for beta testing) is powered by Akamai's variable bitrate streaming streaming technology, delivering up to 3mbps HD video with stereo audio all the way down (6 different levels) to 500kbps encodes. Where it surpasses current online offerings from the competition is the ability, thanks to the aforementioned studio backers, to provide many of the recent movies you want to see. Our impressions of the service and a few more pictures of the interface are after the break.
Comcast extending VOD window to two days on Warner, Lionsgate & Disney flicks
Looks like the studios are finally beginning to loosen their digital distribution grip, now that Warner Bros. and Lionsgate are allowing Comcast to offer extended two day viewing windows this month, with Disney and Summit productions following next month. That coincides with a slew od day and date with the DVD HD VOD postings including He's Just Not That Into You, Gran Torino, Friday the 13th and more. Check the PR for the full list, any ideas how long it is before we see 48 hour replay windows on other cable providers and movie delivery services?
Sony still pushing the potential of BD-Live, but is anyone listening?
Still believe in the potential of BD-Live? Sony does, exec David Bishop called this the "Pong" stage of development in the technology during an industry demo yesterday on its lot. Apparently wanting to get some fresh eyes on BD-Live after some glitchy releases and underwhelming features, Sony, Disney and others are still trying to find different ways to work BD-Live into their discs, and new wireless capable players like Samsung's 2009 models mighty see more people going online. We've seen live directors chats, games, story databases and other twists, but at the moment we're not as optimistic about where BD-Live is headed in 2009 and beyond.
Hollywood executive expects streaming movies, TV on Wii this year
Lionsgate's president of digital media, Curt Marvis, believes that streaming movies and TV will be available on the Wii this year. It doesn't really sound like a strong belief, or one that he can back up with any evidence: "I think when we see the Wii come into the market with the ability to stream movies," Marvis told The Cut Scene, "which I think is maybe going to happen as soon as this year, I think that's going to be a big marketplace for digital distribution."So when, and if, that does happen, Lionsgate is on board. The Cut Scene points out that Marvis does refer to the Wii streaming movies as opposed to downloading them, which suggests that he may be familiar enough with the platform to understand its limitations.Of course, it is a fact that streaming TV is coming to the Wii, both in the form of Nintendo's own "Wii no Ma Channel," which will provide original content from Nintendo, and Fujisoft's Minna no Theater Wii, whose offerings seem limited to content of Japanese origin, like anime and Ultraman. It's possible Lionsgate could be expecting to make a deal with Fujisoft, or that another service is imminent. Of course, it's also possible that he's guessing there will be a Wii movie service this year because he wants there to be.
Epix (and it's Hollywood backers) looking to shake up premium cable
Now that it finally has a name, the Viacom / Lionsgate / MGM backed Epix can finally be a bit more forthcoming about its plans as a premium movie channel to rival HBO, Starz and Showtime. Now the question is whether the new channel will get the $1.50 per subscriber fee it's asking from potential cable and satellite providers, which could make that planned fourth quarter launch dicier than first imagined. Still, the studios seem entrenched behind the idea of improving their prospects for profiting from their newest, hottest movies like Cloverfield, even in these economic times, so we wouldn't be surprised to see a very Big Ten Network-style standoff in the making.
Variety: Konami wants to play a game, picks up Saw rights
Variety's sources are claiming that Konami has picked up the rights from Lionsgate to publish games based on the Saw movies. The publisher allegedly nabbed the rights following the closure of previous rights owner Brash Entertainment. Licensed game aficionados -- there have to be some of you out there -- will be thrilled to learn that Konami plans to release its first Saw title in time for the release of the next film, which is ... let's see ... Saw VI. The game will be developed by Zombie Studios, best known for its work on Super Bubble Pop America's Army.Apparently, Lionsgate had considered developing the game internally -- which would have been the first time the company had attempted game development -- but eventually decided to license the property to an experienced publisher instead. Probably a good idea. The game will reportedly be available on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.
Studio 3 Networks' epix is the new home of Lionsgate, MGM & Paramount movies
The joint venture formed by Viacom's Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate finally has a name -- Studio 3 Networks -- and today announced at NATPE '09 that its "next generation home entertainment service" with both broadband delivery and a traditional TV channel (possibly headed to a digital basic lineup near you) will be branded epix. Still most important about the new brand is that due to expiring content deals with Showtime, epix will have exclusive access to Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Films released theatrically on or after January 1, 2008, plus all MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate flicks from the beginning of 2009 on and a release window two months shorter than the 11 months of other pay channels when it launches in the fourth quarter of this year. Still unclear is exactly where we'll be able to enjoy all 17 remastered* James Bond movies, the Indiana Jones series and more in crisp high definition, as Multichannel News caught president Mark Greenberg mentioning epix could find its way to the aforementioned digital tiers to boost satisfaction on HD content, but didn't set any quality expectations for an Internet or VOD experience. Prior to launch, expect VOD Internet access, while afterwards "authenticated" cable subscribers can get access to DVD extra-styled content online. Still, as Download Squad mentioned, first order of business should probably be buying up the epix.com, epix.net or epix.tv domain names since they're already taken.[Via Multichannel News & Download Squad]
Will BD-Live finally shine in 2009?
Let's not sugarcoat things -- BD-Live hasn't exactly been a runaway success. Sure, you could blame some of that on the fact that Profile 2.0 players are just now becoming a) affordable and b) plentiful, but really, it's the uninteresting content that's truly holding it down. According to a report over at VideoBusiness, that's set to change in 2009. Lionsgate is planning to open a dedicated BD-Live portal (christened Lionsgate Live) which will provide even casual fans with easy access to games, ringtones and filmmaker chats. Other studios are shifting focus to ensure that interactivity is seamlessly integrated and simple to navigate, not to mention getting BD-Live material onto more Blu-ray Discs. In our eyes, '09 is a make or break year for BD-Live; if consumers still aren't digging it by CES 2010, there's a good chance the investments in the technology will taper off. 'Course, those widgets sure seem to be catching eyes over on the connected HDTV side, so maybe there's hope here after all.
My Bloody Valentine 3D grosses way more in 3D than 2D
We'll admit -- we were pretty amazed to hear that Journey To The Center Of The Earth pulled in more revenue in 3D than 2D, but this figure is downright jaw-dropping. My Bloody Valentine 3D, which we noticed was one of the first big screen releases to really be pushed in the format, grossed $27 million in its opening weekend. Ready for the kicker? 3D screens outperformed 2D screens 6:1, with RealD taking credit for a staggering 71 percent of the $27 million. Moreover, the flick was also the first to ever be released in over 1,000 digital 3D locations, so we're sure that didn't hurt matters. We won't deny that we've had our sincere doubts about the future of 3D cinema, but figures like this can make even the most hardened pundit take another look. Full release is after the break.