Buena Vista Officially Announces Unrated 'Badder Santa' for Blu-ray

In the latest case of disc announcement whiplash, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has officially announced a next-gen release for 'Badder Santa,' only weeks after denying it was planning the title for Blu-ray.

The twisty-curvy story first began in late May, when Disney, via its Buena Vista Home Entertainment division, made a retail announcement for a November 20 Blu-ray release of 'Badder Santa,' the unrated edition of the Billy Bob Thornton flick featuring footage too racy for the theatrical release.

That was followed a day later by word from the studio's PR division that 'Badder Santa' was not, in fact, headed to Blu-ray, and that any previous reports were "innaccurate."

Now it turns out the original retail announcement was correct after all, as Buena Vista has sent us an official press release for two upcoming Blu-ray fall titles, 'Badder Santa' and 'Scary Movie' (the latter of which was previously announced and confirmed for Blu-ray release in late May).

Mirroring the original retail announcement, 'Badder Santa' is due on November 20. Tech specs include a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, plus an uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround track.

While there are no Blu-ray exclusives currently planned (aside from Disney's standard Movie Showcase scene access feature), the studios says the next-gen edition will boast the same extras as the standard-def DVD version, including a featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes and a gag reel.

Retail price is a suggested $29.95.

So, given this new press release, why all the earlier denials? While studio PR groups generally withhold comment on retail announcements, industry sources have indicated to us that Buena Vista's strenuous denials of the 'Badder Santa' Blu-ray may have stemmed from concerns that earlier published reports suggested that the unrated 'Badder Santa' would be released under the family-friendly Disney name. As such, it is important to note that the Blu-ray will in fact be distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, and words "Walt Disney" will not appear anywhere on the packing or the disc.

In any case, we've added complete specs and cover art for 'Badder Santa,' which can now be found in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under November 20. Hopefully this formal announcement signals the end of the 'Santa' saga, but we'll certainly keep you posted on any further updates to the story.