Category: Press Releases

Hold onto your chimichangas, folks. From the studio that brought you all 3 Taken films comes DEADPOOL, the block-busting, fourth-wall-breaking masterpiece about Marvel Comics’ sexiest anti-hero: me! Go deep inside (I love that) my origin story…typical stuff…rogue experiment, accelerated healing powers, horrible disfigurement, red spandex, imminent revenge. Directed by overpaid tool Tim Miller, and starring God’s perfect idiot Ryan Reynolds, Ed Skrein, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller and Gina Carano, DEADPOOL is a giddy slice of awesomeness packed with more twists than my enemies’ intestines and more action than prom night. Amazeballs!
DEADPOOL will be available on Blu-ray and DVD May 10
from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

BURBANK, CA – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has accepted the MPAA’s “R” rating for its upcoming animated film, Batman: The Killing Joke, choosing to remain true to the landmark DC Comics graphic novel’s violent, controversial story, and making the film the first non-PG/PG-13 rated movie in the nine-year history of the DC Universe Original Movie franchise.

Batman: The Killing Joke, one of the best-selling graphic novels in history, tells the tale of The Joker’s origin story – from his humble beginnings as a struggling comic, to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. Actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their Batman: The Animated Series roles as Batman and The Joker, respectively.

Since its inception in 2007, the DC Universe Original Movie franchise has brought classic and current DC Comics stories and characters to animated life through a series of primarily PG-13 rated films. Throughout the 26-film history of this popular franchise, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have crafted animated productions that appeal to the adult fan – from adaptations of fan favorite stories (Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) to liberal adaptations of contemporary tales (Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, Batman: Bad Blood, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) to original narratives (Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman, Justice League: Gods & Monsters).

Animation visionary Bruce Timm guided the DC Universe Original Movie franchise for its initial 16 films, then returned last summer with his own original story, Justice League: Gods & Monsters. Timm takes the reigns once again for Batman: The Killing Joke, reuniting a trio of actors (Conroy, Hamill & Tara Strong) from the game-changing Batman: The Animated Series cast to add even greater reverence to this heralded tale. Recognizing the fans’ dedication to the highly acclaimed graphic novel, Timm has worked meticulously to accurately maintain the intense adult content of The Killing Joke.

“From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story – regardless of the eventual MPAA rating,” said Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation & Warner Digital Series. “The Killing Joke is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience – the comics-loving community – with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.”

At this time, there are no plans for an edited, PG-13 version of the film.

A two-time Eisner Award winner written by renowned comics author Alan Moore, Batman: The Killing Joke has maintained an unparalleled popularity throughout its 28 years of existence – as evidenced by its ranking as the best-selling graphic novel of 2015. Batman: The Killing Joke was greenlit in 2013 and announced in July 2015 at Comic Con International in San Diego.

Batman: The Killing Joke also features the voices of Tara Strong (Teen Titans; Batman: Arkham games), as Barbara Gordon and Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, RoboCop) as Commissioner Gordon. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will host the film’s World Premiere at Comic-Con International this summer, and see a subsequent release in 2016 on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD.

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 14, 2016) – “Star Trek Beyond” director Justin Lin announced today a first-ever fan event to take place on May 20 in celebration of the series’ milestone 50th Anniversary this year and the film’s release this summer.

The one-time only special event, taking place at the historic Paramount Pictures studio lot, will include the premiere of the newest “Star Trek Beyond” trailer, an exclusive first-look of never before seen footage from the upcoming film, a Q&A with Lin and the cast and crew, special guests appearances, and other surprises. The Q&A will be streamed via Facebook Live.

Said Justin Lin, “As a lifelong fan of Trek, we wanted to do something special for the fans and we couldn’t think of a better way to do that than creating an event dedicated to them in the year that we also come together to celebrate the series’ amazing 50th year.”

Opening July 22, 2016 from Paramount Pictures and Skydance, “Star Trek Beyond” is a Bad Robot, Sneaky Shark, Perfect Storm Entertainment production.  The film stars John Cho, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin and Idris Elba. Directed by Lin, the third film in the franchise series is produced by J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Lindsey Weber, and Lin; and executive produced by Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Tommy Harper. Based upon “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry, the screenplay is written by Pegg & Doug Jung.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise will boldly go where they have never gone before when STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s Edition arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray June 7, 2016 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  As part of the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Star Trek franchise, this classic film has been digitally remastered in high definition with brilliant picture quality and will be presented in both Nicholas Meyer’s Director’s Edition and the original theatrical version.  The Blu-ray also includes a brand-new, nearly 30-minute documentary entitled “The Genesis Effect: Engineering The Wrath of Khan,” which details the development and production of this fan-favorite film through archival footage, photos and new interviews.

In addition to the new documentary, the STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s EditionBlu-ray is bursting with more than two hours of previously released special features including multiple commentaries, original interviews with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban and DeForest Kelley, explorations of the visual effects and musical score, a tribute to Ricardo Montalban, storyboards and much more.

Captain Kirk’s Starfleet career enters a new chapter as a result of his most vengeful nemesis: Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically enhanced conqueror from late 20^th century Earth.  Escaping his forgotten prison, Khan sets his sights on both capturing Project Genesis, a device of god-like power, and the utter destruction of Kirk.

STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Director’s Edition Blu-ray

The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The disc includes the following:

Blu-ray

• Director’s Edition in high definition
• Theatrical Version in high definition
• Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer (Director’s Edition & Theatrical Version)
• Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto (Theatrical Version)
• Text Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda (Director’s Edition)
• Library Computer (Theatrical Version)
• The Genesis Effect: Engineering The Wrath of Khan—NEW!
• Production

o   Captain’s Log

o   Designing Khan

o   Original interviews with DeForest Kelley, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Ricardo Montalban

o   Where No Man Has Gone Before: The Visual Effects of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

o   James Horner: Composing Genesis

• The Star Trek Universe

o   Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics

o   A Novel Approach

o   Starfleet Academy: The Mystery Behind Ceti Alpha VI

• Farewell

o   A Tribute to Ricardo Montalban

• Storyboards
• Theatrical Trailer

Washington, D.C. —  Fanboy favorites from Star Trek star William Shatner and The X-Files creator Chris Carter to Syfy’s hit series 12 Monkeys and Deadpool director Tim Miller are squarely in the spotlight for Smithsonian magazine’s fourth annual The Future Is Here Festival™, a three-day event highlighting the most advanced thinking in science, technology, space, art and engineering from a dazzling array of experts, visionaries and noted science-lovers.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, April 22^nd at the Shakespeare Theatre’s Sidney Harman Hall with an exclusive ticketed evening event featuring Shatner, in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Star Trek; a conversation with Carter, fresh off the triumphant return of The X-Files to television; and an exclusive glimpse into the thrilling second season of Syfy’s hit series 12 Monkeys (premieres April 18) with special advance footage presented by stars Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull and executive producer Terry Matalas.

USA TODAY entertainment writer Brian Truitt will conduct the conversation with Carter, and renowned astronomer/author Phil Plait will moderate the 12 Monkeys panel.

Tickets for this exclusive Friday night event can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smithsonian-magazines-2016-the-future-is-here-festivaltm-registration-21495104436.

Programming for Saturday and Sunday includes appearances by Deadpool director Tim Miller, The Martian author Andy Weir, explorers Céline & Alexandra Cousteau, noted science fiction author Bruce Sterling, leading NASA scientists and a profound list of visionary speakers and presenters, offering the audience an eye-opening look into the future. Among the entertaining events on the weekend slate is an electrifying concert by Tesla Coils band Arc Attack, and a performance of mind-bending techno tricks by Marco Tempest, the world’s leading cyber illusionist.

The Future Is Here Festival™ convenes the world’s leading experts in science and technology, including:

• Vint Cerf – Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google, one of the “fathers of the internet”
• Alexandra Cousteau – Explorer, storyteller, environmental advocate
• Céline S. Cousteau – Explorer, Founder & Executive Director, CauseCentric Productions
• Frans de Waal – Professor of Primate Behavior at Emory University & Author, Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
• Anthony Fauci – America’s point man on epidemics, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health
• Kirk Johnson – Director of the National Museum of Natural History
• Nicholas Negroponte – Co-founder of the MIT Media Lab, Founder of One Laptop Per Child Project
• Rebecca Newberger Goldstein – Philosopher & Author, Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won’t Go Away
• Dava Newman –Deputy Administrator of NASA
• Fiona Raby, Professor of Design and Emerging Technology at Parsons
• Martine Rothblatt – Transhumanist and Founder of Sirius Radio, Geostar and United Therapeutics
• Sara Seager – Planetary Scientist and Astrophysicist
• Seth Shostak – Director of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
• Adam Steltzner – NASA Engineer/Mars Rover, Author, The Right Kind of Crazy
• Bruce Sterling – Science Fiction Author
• Marco Tempest — Cyber Illusionist
• Andy Weir – Author of The Martian (via Skype)

Additional speakers/programming will be announced as confirmed.

The Future Is Here Festival™, an exciting and mind-expanding live event taking place April 22-24 in Washington, D.C., is accompanied by Smithsonian’s May “Future” issue, which hits newsstands April 26^th, bringing the excitement of The Future Is Here Festival™ to 6.8 million readers and 5 million digital viewers across the country and around the world.

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 12, 2016) – You’ve never met a hero quite like SHREK, winner of the first Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature. The endearing ogre sparked a motion picture phenomenon and captured the world’s imagination with…the Greatest Fairy Tale Never Told! This irreverent animated masterpiece arrives on Digital HD on May 16, 2016 and Blu-ray™ and DVD on June 7 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Critics have called SHREK “not just a brilliant animated feature, but a superb film on any level” (Larry King, USA Today). Relive every moment of Shrek’s (Mike Myers) daring quest to rescue feisty Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), with the help of his lovable loudmouthed Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and win back the deed to his beloved swamp from scheming Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Enchantingly irreverent and “monstrously clever” (Leah Rozen, People Magazine), SHREK is an ogre-sized adventure you’ll want to see again and again.

DreamWorks Animation SHREK 4-Movie Collection
The DreamWorks Animation SHREK 4-Movie Collection contains the Academy Award® winning feature film plus SHREK 2, SHREK THE THIRD and SHREK FOREVER AFTER. In SHREK 2 with the help of his faithful steed Donkey, Shrek takes on a potion-brewing Fairy Godmother, the pompous Prince Charming, and the famed ogre-killer, Puss In Boots, a ferocious feline foe who’s really just a pussycat at heart!

When his frog-in-law suddenly croaks in SHREK THE THIRD, Shrek embarks on another whirlwind adventure with Donkey and Puss In Boots to find the rightful heir to the throne.

Shrek longs for the days when he was a “real ogre” in SHREK FOEVER AFTER. Shrek signs a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to get his roar back…but turns his world upside down in the process.

The X-Files – The Event Series
Almost 14 years after the original series run, the next mind-bending chapter of The X-Files™ is a thrilling, six-episode event series from creator/executive producer Chris Carter, with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reinhabiting their roles as iconic FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Mitch Pileggi also returns as FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner, Mulder and Scully’s boss, who walks a fine line between loyalty to these investigators and accountability to his superiors. This marks the momentous return of the Emmy®- and Golden Globe® Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

The X-Files – The Complete Series Blu-ray Boxset
Now for the first time on Blu-ray™, The X-Files – The Event Series and the original nine seasons of this electrifying show can be yours to own!   Assigned the FBI’s most challenging cases, special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully (Golden Globe® Winners David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) face terrifying danger and bizarre phenomena as they struggle to unravel deadly conspiracies and solve paranormal mysteries. While Mulder grapples to comprehend the paranormal in every case, Scully seeks to solve their mysteries through science alone. As the series progresses, secrets about a vast and horrifying conspiracy unfold, culminating in shocking revelations about aliens, the U.S. government, and humanity itself in the exhilarating The X-Files: The Event Series. Featuring over 25 hours of thrilling extras, including documentaries and commentary by creator Chris Carter and the production team — as well as special effects sequences, deleted scenes and an in-depth look behind the scenes of The Event Series — this collection is a must-have for any fan of the truth!

The X-Files – The Event Series Blu-ray & DVD Special Features

• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Gag Reel
• The Makings of a Struggle
• Season X: An In-Depth Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Event Series”
• Monsters of the Week: A Recap from the Wildest and Scariest from the Original Series
• “The X-Files” – Green Production PSA
• Short Film – Grace by Karen Nielsen
• Commentary on “Founder’s Mutation” with Chris Carter and James Wong
• Commentary on “Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster” with David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Kumail Nanjiani and Darin Morgan
• Commentary on “My Struggle II” with Chris Carter and Gabe Rotter

The X-Files – The Event Series Blu-ray

Street Date: June 14, 2016
Prebook Date: May 11, 2016
Screen Format: 16:9 (1.78:1)
Audio: English 5.1 DD / Spanish 5.1 DD / French 2.0 Surround DD
Subtitles: English / French / Spanish
U.S. Rating: TV-14

The X-Files – The Complete Series Blu-ray Boxset
Street Date: June 14, 2016
Prebook Date: May 11, 2016
Screen Format: 16:9 (1.78:1)
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD-MA / Spanish 2.0 Surround DD / French 2.0 Surround DTS
Subtitles: English / French / Spanish
U.S. Rating: TV-14

New York, N.Y., April 11, 2016 – Game of Thrones, the most-watched HBO® original series and best-selling TV on DVD title for the past five years, is now releasing in collectible Steelbook packaging. Following the release of Steelbook Seasons 1 and 2 this past fall, the collection continues, with seasons 3 and 4 releasing in a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ set with the revolutionary new audio technology Dolby Atmos.  Game of Thrones Steelbook Seasons 3 and 4 will be available on June 7, 2016 for the SRP of $79.98.

The Steelbook sets feature art designed by Elastic, the agency responsible for the series’ Emmy® Award-winning opening credits. Each Steelbook showcases a specific location that is significant to that season and includes usable magnets on packaging featuring Game of Thrones sigils and symbols. Season 1 packaging featured Winterfell and Season 2 the Lannisters in King’s Landing. Season 3 will feature the magnet sigil of House Frey and their ancestral seat of the Twins – the location of Season 3’s infamous Red Wedding. The icy landscape of Castle Black and the Wall–where the brothers of the Night’s Watch fend off an army of wildlings from the far north–will grace the packaging of season 4 including a crow and Jon Snow’s sword, Longclaw as the featured magnet.

In addition to all of the bonus content from the previous Blu-ray™ sets, the Game of Thrones Steelbook is the first TV on Blu-ray™ title to be released with the revolutionary new audio technology Dolby Atmos, which delivers sounds and music to specific areas in the room, including overhead, creating a captivating experience that puts the audience right in the middle of the action on screen. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, Dolby Atmos-enabled AV receivers and additional speakers are required; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

SANTA MONICA, CA (April 5, 2016) – The ultimate struggle to rule the world begins when Gods of Egypt arrives on Digital HD on May 17 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), 3D Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD), Blu-ray™ (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand May 31 from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE Company. Directed by Alex Proyas (I, Robot), written by Matt Sazama (The Last Witch Hunter) & Burk Sharpless (The Last Witch Hunter), and featuring stunning visual effects and production design, Gods of Egypt stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) with Gerard Butler (London Has Fallen) and Academy Award^® winner Geoffrey Rush (Best Actor, Shine, 1996).

The ultimate battle between good and evil threatens to destroy all creation in this epic fantasy-adventure bursting with spectacular action and amazing special effects. Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau star as rival gods Set and Horus, who are locked in a war to rule the universe. To defeat the merciless Set, Horus joins forces with a brave mortal for a journey that will take them across Egypt, through the heavens, and into the afterlife in an unforgettable quest to save mankind.

The Blu-ray and Digital HD releases feature an in-depth look behind-the-scenes with six featurettes, plus storyboards of deleted scenes. The Blu-ray release also includes next-generation DTS:X immersive audio, which replicates and conveys the fluid movement of sound to create a richer soundscape by moving sound to precisely where the audio mixer placed it.

Gods of Egypt will be available in the following physical formats on May 31:

• 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack – $42.99 SRP
• 3D Combo Pack – $39.99 SRP
• Blu-ray – $35.99 SRP
• DVD – $29.95 SRP

BLU-RAY/ DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES*

• Deleted Storyboards
• “A Divine Vision: Creating a Cinematic Action Fantasy” Featurette
• “Of Gods and Mortals: The Cast” Featurette
• “Transformation: Costume, Make-up & Hair” Featurette
• “On Location: Shooting in Australia” Featurette
• “The Battle for Eternity: Stunts” Featurette
• “A Window into Another World: Visual Effects” Featurette

*Subject to change

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

• “The Battle for Eternity: Stunts” Featurette
• “A Window into Another World: Visual Effects” Featurette

*Subject to change 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2016
Title Copyright: Gods of Egypt, Artwork & Supplementary Materials © 2016 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: PG-13 for Fantasy Violence and Action, and Some Sexuality
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Closed Captioned:  NA
Subtitles: English and Spanish, English SDH
Feature Run Time: 126 minutes
4K UHD Format: 2160p Ultra High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
BD Format: 1080p High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
DVD Format: 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
4K UHD Audio: English DTS:X^TM Audio, Spanish 5.1 DTS Digital Surround^TM Audio, English 2.0 DTS Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio
BD Audio: English DTS:X^TM Audio, Spanish 5.1 DTS Digital Surround^TM Audio, English 2.0 DTS Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, English Descriptive Audio
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill announced a new campaign sponsored by CrowdRise in support of Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative that inspires people to make a positive impact on the world. Starting Monday, Star Wars: Force for Change began matching the donations of Star Wars fans to four select charities up to $1,000,000!

To date, Star Wars: Force for Change has raised over $10,000,000 with the help of the amazing Star Wars community. This month-long campaign will lead up to “Star Wars Day” on May the 4^th. The four select charities include the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish®.

“Star Wars fans are some of the most generous, thoughtful, and sympathetic people I have ever met,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “I am so proud of the charitable work they have done over the years and hope this month-long donation-matching campaign will go some way to express our sincere thanks for their tireless efforts.”

Over the course of the four-week period, which culminates at 11:59pm (PST) on May 4^th, fans will be able to donate through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange to these four charities and have their donations matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000.During the first week, the first 20 fans to raise or donate at least $500 will win a Blu-ray of The Force Awakens signed by the cast[i], with more incentives to come. All participants who enter will also have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael along the Wild Atlantic Way, the location of the dramatic final scene from The Force Awakens[ii].

Show your Force and visit CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange now for more details.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available now on Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack
[i]  Must be at least at least age eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater, at the time of entry and an individual legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Starts on April 5, 2016 at 4:00am PST and ends as soon as there are twenty (20) individuals that have donated and/or fundraised at least $500 online on the Website here:  https://www.crowdrise.com/ForceForChange or on April 11, 2016 at 11:59:59pm PST, whichever comes first. To enter, follow the on-screen instructions to donate or fundraise. ARV: $500. For complete rules and eligibility requirements, Click Here CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange. Sponsor: CrowdRise. Prize Provider: Lucasfilm Ltd. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

[ii]  No Purchase or Donation Necessary. Must be at least at least age eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater, at the time of entry and an individual legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Starts on April 5, 2016 at 4:00am PST and ends on May 4, 2016 at 11:59:59pm PST. To enter, either (1) follow the on-screen instructions to donate or fundraise or (2) email Kennedy@crowdrise.com with the subject line: “Please enter me in the Win A Trip to Ireland and Skellig Michael Sweepstakes”, and your full name, birthday, address, email and “I agree to these Official Rules and CrowdRise Terms and Conditions.” Limit 200 entries per person. ARV: $4,999. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. For complete rules and eligibility requirements, Click Here CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange. Sponsor: CrowdRise. Prize Provider: Tourism Ireland. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.