Warner Ups HD Slate

8 Jan, 2007 By: Erik Gruenwedel

Warner Home Video today at CES unveiled an updated slate of HD DVD and Blu-ray titles, including the Feb. 13 release The Departed, the acclaimed Martin Scorsese gangster film that has garnered six Golden Globe nominations.

The HD DVD/DVD combo retails for $39.99 and the Blu-ray for $34.99.

WHV, which backs both high-def formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc, has released 53 movies on HD DVD and 33 on Blu-ray, including the No. 1 selling title for both formats in 2006, Superman Returns.

Other Warner releases include The Wicker Man and Beerfest (Unrated), streeting Jan. 30 for $28.99 on each format.The studio announced plans to release Happy Feet, Blood Diamond and the college football flick We Are Marshall on HD DVD and Blu-ray this year.

Warner, which released The Forbidden Planet — Ultimate Collector's Edition HD DVD in 2006, has plans for similar special edition HD DVD and Blu-ray releases this year for such titles as “The Matrix” and “Harry Potter” franchises, Oceans 11 and 12, and the Steve McQueen classics Bullitt and The Getaway, among others.