We already know Fox is planning to release a massive four-disc ultimate edition of Avatar on Blu-ray this November with new footage and hours of bonus materials. We’ve also been told that the inevitable Blu-ray 3D version of Avatar would make its way to stores sometime in 2011.
According to multiple sources at HollywoodinHiDef, Fox and Panasonic have struck a deal that will bring Avatar on Blu-ray 3D into homes this November exclusively with the purchase of a Panasonic Blu-ray bundle. Neither Fox nor Panasonic are offering comments on the report.
Just recently Panasonic announced their new line of Viera 3D HDTVs will include a voucher entitling the purchaser to a free copy of Fox’s Ige Age 3 and Universal’s Coraline on Blu-ray 3D. Samsung is offering Monsters vs. Aliens with their 3D gear, and a separate rumor suggests Sony and Disney will team up this fall to deliver Alice in Wonderland on Blu-ray 3D to purchases of Sony 3D gear.
None of these films is Avatar, the highest grossing movie of all time that proved 3D technology has arrived and when properly executed can blow people’s minds. I have felt Avatar was the movie that stood the best chance of kicking Blu-ray 3D sales into a new gear and that anyone, regardless of which manufacturer they choose, would be able to stop by a store and pick it up.
Those planning a Blu-ray 3D setup purchase this summer may want to rethink that strategy now. Avatar is the demo disc, and if there’s only one way to get it, best to wait until those means materialize. Anyone who already purchased a Blu-ray 3D setup has every right to be infuriated by this news.
Assuming the Avatar and Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray 3D rumors pan out to be true, we will be looking at a minimum of five films on Blu-ray 3D exclusive to hardware purchases and only one, A Christmas Carol, confirmed to be available individually at retail. Talk about alienating early adopters who shell out thousands for the gear but only have access to a fraction of the available titles.
More on this story as it develops over the coming months.
