Warner Bros. replacing the out-of-print digibook edition of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory with a new Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary. The new Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Blu-ray edition will be available in stores on October 4.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Ultimate Collector’s Edition will be released in a three-disc Blu-ray set that includes the DVD version, as well as a separate single-disc DVD release. One of the bonus features will be all-new to both editions, while another is new to only DVD.
- 144-page production book reprint filled with production photos and notes
- Archival letters
- Mel Stuart’s Wonkavision NEW!
- A World of Pure Imagination Featurette on author Roald Dahl NEW TO DVD!
- Delicious documentary: Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- Mouth-watering commentary with the Wonka Kids
- Sing a-longs
The set will come packaged in a Wonka Bar-shaped tin box that includes scented pencils, an eraser, and the big lure, a Golden Ticket instant win game piece. As in the film, 5 winners and one guest each will get the opportunity to be flown to Los Angeles to “complete the tasty offering” that includes a Warner Bros. Studio VIP tour and accommodations for 2 nights/3 days. The odds of winning are 1 in 13,000.
In addition, 40 runner-ups will receive a limited run reproduction of the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory theatrical one-sheet movie poster. Those odds of winning are more reasonable at 1 in 1,625.
This wonky Wonka promotion will run through January 20, 2012. The winners will make their trip to Los Angeles in mid-April, 2012.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Ultimate Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray carries an SRP of $64.99. Amazon isn’t taking pre-orders yet, but expect it to be in the $40-$45 range. I’ll check back with that pre-order link and a clearer look at the tin when it’s available.
