Lord of the Rings Pre-order Now Available!

In an early announcement to retailers, New Line Home Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Home Video have revealed the cover art for 'The Lord of the Rings Trilogy' Blu-ray and Amazon has begun taking pre-orders. The release currently does not have a release date, but it is expected to be released later this year - most likely during the holiday season. No technical specs or special features have been revealed at this time, but you can expect to see 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. The only potentially negative news here is that the films will be presented in their theatrical versions instead of the more popular (and more faithful) extended versions. This is not entirely surprising as Warner made it well known early on that the theatrical versions would be released first, with the extended versions coming sometime later (likely around the theatrical release of 'The Hobbit'). However, any hope of the 2009 release using seamless branching to show both versions has now been washed away. But, that doesn't take away from the fact that this is indeed 'The Lord of the Rings' - three films which together grossed more than $1B domestically - in high definition. This is one of the releases Blu-ray fans have been begging for, and you can bet this is going to be one of the best selling Blu-ray titles this year.
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aramis109  » Apr 16, 2009
Hooray! ...now bring on the extended editions sometime this decade.

1984u  » Apr 16, 2009
No extended, what a suprise :/

captclueless  » Apr 16, 2009
I will be buying this and the extended edition.

Mobjack  » Apr 16, 2009
I too will wait for the extended ed.

The Great Robu  » Apr 16, 2009

Man warner is all about the double dip... So I'm supposed to rush out and drop presumably around 80 bucks for this box set, then in probably like a year or so, go out and drop like 100 more bucks on the extended cut??? I think I will wait till around the hobbit comes out, and see what happens.. Plus you just know that the extended box set will have some sort of movie cash going on to promote the new flick.

Paganmoon  » Apr 16, 2009
@Chad: where does it state you should wait? I certainly am not going to wait 2-3 years to own these on blu-ray, I'll get the theatrical, then get the extended cuts. simple as that. /P

krazyclown  » Apr 16, 2009
might buy or just rent dont know yet will buy the extended edition day one though

Moefiz  » Apr 16, 2009
We all knew that this is how this release was going to happen...so no big surprise here...not sure what I will do as yet.

chad_1138  » Apr 16, 2009

@Chad: where does it state you should wait? I certainly am not going to wait 2-3 years to own these on blu-ray, I'll get the theatrical, then get the extended cuts. simple as that. /P Paganmoon: I was saying that it stated above extended cuts were coming out later. Also, Peter Jackson has stated that extended cuts WILL BE coming out when The Hobbit comes out. Check out digitalbits.com. Jackson has said they are on the way!!

monkeyjb1988  » Apr 16, 2009
Definitely will rent them. Maybe buy depending on bonus features and how long the Hobbit takes to come out.

Sushisake  » Apr 16, 2009
My standard versions will suffice until extended blu-ray versions are released. Sorry Warner - but I am NO fool...

AikonEnt  » Apr 16, 2009
Extended editions only for me I'm afraid. Warner must really be expecting a lot of people to either not care for extended editions or will double dip to only release the theatrical versions for now.

cherno  » Apr 16, 2009
I have zero problem with the whole theatrical vs extended thing. They are different films imo. They have given plenty of advance notice so you can choose to wait if you desire. I personally want to keep my theatricals separate from the extended and not be forced to accept the extended as the only cut (like Lucas tried to do). Bring em on, I'll buy both.

flyfree432  » Apr 16, 2009
I will not do it Sam I Am. I will not buy the standard versions. I will wait for the extended versions. I will die a little waiting when it is released in its standard version, but I've been ripped off enough by this company.

Blu Nick  » Apr 16, 2009

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I can't understand all those who are in the 'i'm waiting for the Extended Editions' camp.Any self respecting LOTR fan or movie fanatic should own BOTH of the cuts anyway. New Line is merely replicating the DVD release and have been clear in their plans to firstly release the Theatrical cuts.At least they're being upfront and not cheekily bringing out a new SE every 6 months or so like some studios. You can't really blame the studios for 'double dipping' really as the real enemy here are the idiots who buy/download sub-standard copies.The only way for the studios to recoup their loses is to bring out multiple versions i'm afraid.

dmarvin  » Apr 16, 2009
I don't blame the studio for double-dipping. It's a smart move on their part. Even smarter is they informed fans well ahead of time of the double-dip so they don't upset people. I will rent these and hold off for the EE's. $70 is too rich for my blood when I'm going to wind up completely replacing them in 2 or 3 years.

kevinokev  » Apr 16, 2009
Probably Netflix the theatrical to hold me over for the extended. They should look mighty impressive.

Lucy Diamond  » Apr 16, 2009	Show comment Hide comment
~YAWN~

PBR  » Apr 16, 2009
I'll be waiting for the extended versions. Thanks New Line!

Stuart_Larkin  » Apr 16, 2009
Will Wait for the Extended versions.

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