Warner Announces Dual 'Batman Begins' Blu-rays

The wait is over: 'Batman Begins,' one of Warner's most highly-anticipated Blu-ray "catch-up" titles is due for release this July in standard and deluxe editions.

Originally released on HD DVD back in October 2006 (read our review), 'Batman Begins' is one of a handful of high-profile Warner titles that were previously held back from Blu-ray release due to the format's then-inability to support the studio's "In-Movie Experience" picture-in-picture commentary feature.

According to Home Media Magazine, the $200 million-grossing Christopher Nolan re-invention will hit Blu-ray on July 8 in two versions -- a standard Blu-ray version, and a 'Limited Edition Gift Set' featuring the same single-disc as the standard version plus deluxe packaging and a variety of collectibles.

Among the goodies in the Gift Set are a Batman Begins motion art lenticular, script pages, exclusive photos, storyboards, five collectible Batman Begins postcards, an exclusive comic book prologue to the upcoming sequel 'The Dark Knight'' (set to hit theaters July 18), plus $7.50 in Movie Cash towards buying a 'Dark Knight' ticket.

Warner has not yet issued tech specs or supplement details for 'Batman Begins,' but the Blu-rays are expected to include the PiP content found on the previous HD DVD version. We'll certainly keep you posted.

Suggested list price for the standard Blu-ray has been set at $28.99, while the Gift Set is set at $49.99.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Batman Begins' and 'Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under July 8.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for the Dark Knight's Blu-ray debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss both 'Batman Begins' Blu-ray releases.