Video Business has published an article quoting Disney president and CEO Bob Iger as stating both ‘Cars’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ will not be released on Blu-ray Disc this year. Both titles, and presumably any other big new releases, are being held back until more BD players penetrate the market.
The announcement came during Disney’s third quarter earnings call and franky took me by surprise. Many, myself included, would have expected the opposite announcement to both help sell players and support Playstation 3’s launch this November. Instead, we’ll be spinning ‘Eight Below’ and ‘Dinosaur’ this Fall.
If Disney and Buena Vista hold true to the pattern shown thus far, we could see two additional waves of Disney Blu-ray Discs before the year is out. After today’s comments, my expectations for a killer title have been reigned in, tied up and stowed away for the time being.
