Posted Sat Jan 5, 2008 at 12:34 PM PST by Peter Bracke
Disney is previewing its Blu-ray plans for 2008 in a pre-CES annoucement, including official confirmation of the highly-anticipated high-def debuts of 'Sleeping Beauty,' 'Finding Nemo' and 'National Treasure.'
Unveiled today via press release (which can be read in full here), Disney says it will be releasing "an expanding Blu-ray slate" of top titles throughout the coming year, a mix of both new releases and catalog favorites boasting "new technological advancements" and extensive bonus features.
Although no titles were revealed that had not been already announced or previously hinted at in company statements, the press release does offer the first official confirmation of Blu-ray versions of 'Finding Nemo,' 'National Treasure,' 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and the first-ever Disney Platinum Edition high-def release, 'Sleeping Beauty.'
While not the studio's complete line-up for 2008, the titles outlined in the release (for North America) are as follows:
January 8: 'The Rock,' 'Con Air'
January 22: 'The Game Plan'
February 5: 'Crimson Tide'
February 12: 'Gone Baby Gone,' 'Becoming Jane'
March 4: 'The Rookie'
March 11: 'Dan in Real Life'
April 1: 'Hidalgo,' 'Coyote Ugly,' 'Unbreakable'
Spring 2008 (Dates TBA): 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' 'National Treasure'
Also in 2008 (Dates TBA): 'Sleeping Beauty,' 'Finding Nemo'
Disney also touted a number of Blu-ray exclusives, including the studio's first "Cine-Explore" video commentary to feature full motion picture-in-picture on 'Finding Nemo,' while 'Sleeping Beauty' will feature a "Virtual Castle" activity utilizing the new BD-Live technology and the interactive game "Maleficent's Challenge." The 'Sleeping Beauty' Platinum Edition Blu-ray will also boast a PCM 7.1 Surround track, a first for Disney.
Full specs for the remaining titles were not outlined in the release, but expect further details as Disney continues to roll out its Blu-ray announcements in the weeks ahead.
The latest disc specs for all announced titles can be found in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, indexed under their respective street dates.
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