Caffeinated Clint
As are “Under Siege 3”, “Training Day 2” and “Space Jam 2”
Just received a press release in the inbox from the gang at Warner Australia, indicating what some of the future Warner Premiere direct-to-video sequels may be. The one that’s going to have most doing a jig is the long-awaited “Beetlejuice” follow-up.
According to the release, the second instalment in the series – I’m assuming, since it’s a direct to video release that Michael Keaton won’t be back to reprise his role as The Ghost with the Most – is already on the horizon.
I assume the “Beetlejuice” sequel will work the same as the recently announced “Lost Boys” (1987) sequel – the original director (in this case, Tim Burton) will retain an executive producer credit, but will otherwise be absent from the creative meet-ups.
Other titles likely to get the direct-to-video sequel treatment over the next couple of years include “Under Siege”; “Space Jam”; “Training Day” and “Dark Castle”.
“Consumers today have more ways than ever to access content, which naturally increases the need for all forms of programming, especially in the DVD originals arena,” says Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “With Warner Premiere, we’re creating an additional stream of new, high-quality, ‘fan-ready’ DVDs that will be supported by top-notch marketing to help them standout in the increasingly crowded marketplace.”
“This is very exciting for us, as well as the next logical step in the evolution of digital entertainment for a company our size,” says Jeff Robinov, President, Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. “While the films and shorts produced by Warner Premiere will be produced under a new business model, they will have no creative constraints on them and should not be thought of as low-budget or second-rate in any way. We’re creating projects with a very specific mindset, geared to a specific distribution platform, while at the same time trying new creative approaches, telling different stories, working with new talent and responding quickly to consumer feedback and demand.”
“My goal with Warner Premiere is to continue the Studio’s mandate of being a destination for both estab lished and upcoming talent,” says Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere. “Warner Premiere can provide creative opportunities—from exploring and developing back stories and lesser characters in existing properties to creating original titles that work better in the new media—for writers, producers, directors and talent that may not available to them within the established studio system.”
Warner Premiere will produce up to 15 titles a year, the first of which, “Dukes of Hazzard II”—a continuation the storyline featured in the 2005 theatrical release—recently wrapped production and will be made available to Australian consumers on 5 September 2007. Also out in 2007 are “Return to House on Haunted Hill” on 3 October 2007, “Twisted Fortune” on 17 October 2007 and “A Dennis the Menace Christmas” on 5 December 2007.
Raw Feed is the first series of “original production” MFVs. Films under the Raw Feed banner are a mix of thriller, horror, and sci- fi with an uncomfortable edge and are as much psychological as they are thriller or horror genre. The films will be released on DVD and will include innovative extra features and bonus content. The “Raw Feed” label originated from the creative minds of Tony Krantz (“24”), Daniel Myrick (The Blair Witch Project) and John Shiban (“Supernatural”). The first film in the series, “Rest Stop”, written and directed by Shiban, debuted on DVD in January 2007. The second film, “Sublime”, will be released 6 June 2007. The third film, “Believers”, directed by Myrick, is currently in production and is scheduled for 3 October 2007.
