14 DAY TRIAL // Just about everybody around the world has heard about the demise of HD DVD, the next-generation DVD format supported by Toshiba. However, there were certain major studios that were still legally bounded by contract to stick with the dead format, but it seems that those bounds have expired, as Universal seems to be preparing to finally go Blu-ray as well.
In the past, at the height of the format war, Universal Studios was one of HD DVD's most important backers. However, as Reuters/Hollywood Reporter informs us, Universal has finally decided to abandon HD DVD and is about to announce that all of its new videos will be launched directly on Blu-ray, as the same time as its standard DVDs. And we're talking about quite an important number of releases, about 40 titles, to be more precise.
The main points of attraction of the new lineup will be, quite obviously, the five big feature films Universal has prepared for this summer, namely "The Incredible Hulk," with Edward Norton, William Hurt and Liv Tyler; "Wanted," an action thriller starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie; "Hellboy II: The Golden Army"; "Mamma Mia," the adaptation of the musical starring Meryl Streep; and the sequel "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," with Brendan Fraser and Jet Li.
However, don't expect to see any Blu-ray candy from Universal right now, because Universal is set to officially enter the Blu-ray market towards the end of July with all of the movies from the Mummy series, namely "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns," both starring Fraser, and the spinoff "The Scorpion King," with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Of course, the company will also release numerous other titles for the domestic market, in an attempt to satisfy the needs of all those Blu-ray hungry consumers out there. No idea just what the retail prices will be, though.
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