Warner, Walmart Partner for Early ‘Man of Steel’ Movie, Blu-ray Access

24 Apr, 2013 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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In a first, the studio is selling theatrical tickets and Blu-ray Disc pre-orders for a pre-screening of Superman reboot ‘Man of Steel’

Warner Bros. and Walmart April 24 said they have partnered to sell tickets and pre-orders of the Blu-ray Disc combo pack or HD Digital download to a pre-screening of the much-anticipated Superman reboot Man of Steel, from director Zack Snyder.

Walmart will begin selling tickets in 3,700 stores May 18 to a special 2D and 3D screening of the movie in select local theaters on June 13. The summer blockbuster opens nationwide June 14.

Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill in a story about Clark Kent as a boy and young man who realizes he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. The movie also stars Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni and Russell Crowe.

Man of Steel is one of Warner’s first major releases under the helm of new studio chief Kevin Tsujihara, whose background in digital entertainment and head of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group underscores the multiplatform marketing approach to the movie.

Indeed, tickets bought at Walmart to the special screening will include a code on the back that allows customers to pre-order the Blu-ray combo pack or HD Digital Download of Man of Steel, which will feature exclusive bonus material. The tickets also include a free original digital comic book written by screenwriter David Goyer.

Fans can download a “Man of Steel Experience” app at Google Play or the Apple App Store, which allows them to take photos with Superman, in addition to access branded photo frames when pointing their smartphone at special signage in Walmart stores.

Beginning April 28, Walmart will sell select movie merchandise at stores and at .

“Walmart's premiere of Man of Steel once again proves we have the ambition and studio partnerships to develop unique retail programs that give our customers access to the movies they love,” Laura Phillips, SVP of entertainment at Walmart U.S., said in a statement.

Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, said the partnership and social media campaign will generate “strong” word-of-mouth buzz for the film and “propel” moviegoers to theaters nationwide.

 

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