Three weeks ago (see Blu-ray.com, November 15), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment had announced Heavy Metal for Blu-ray release on January 25, 2011. Now the studio has unceremoniously pulled this cult animated movie from its schedule. No reason is given for this cancellation, and no new release date is available.
A couple months ago, another Sony catalog title, Big Daddy, was also announced and later pulled from the schedule, only to resurface later as a Best Buy exclusive (see Blu-ray.com, October 11). At the moment there is no information as to whether that will happen or not with Heavy Metal as well.
If it was scheduled for 25 January, a little over a month and a half from now, I would expect that a significant amount of effort has gone into producing the title. It would be a shame to see that all go to waste.
It could be a possibility, the reason why Heavy Metal Blu-ray release was cancelled indefinitely, was due to a problematic copyright issue of its soundtrack from various recording artists.
Under these circumstances, I would advice you to keep your DVD, until another release date for the Blu-ray is announced, and confirmed (if ever). If you decide to sell your DVD beforehand, you won't have the movie at all.
I've heard of a possible live animation movie being made...not terribly sure but could be they would hold off to promote the movie but that would be a LOOONG ways away.
Hasn't Sony announced certain released before and just as unceremoniously cancelled them. What's up Sony? You get an A+++ on the blus you do put out as I think you are one of the studios to beat as far as PQ and AQ goes on catalogue titles, but a big fat F on announcing titles!!!!!
why would they announce something anyway then cancel it just to possibly re-announce as an exclusive anywhere? by anyone. just to announce it a bit later to be an exclusive. this is an HD Blu ray movie they look and sound awesomer when done RIGHT, so release and let us all afford it, because this era is a great and expensive one with most the older movies coming that we seen as teenagers or youngens. We are now older and we dont really get richer either and own most on dvd or need to get one now for to have a movie we like before the blu. most are slightly improved or the video has some bad quality even over dvd. It must be coming out soon or near 2011 when it comes out in theaters the new movie with the blu possibly gettin movie cash within a few week maybe before it comes out.
oh ya and the newer ones we do would like to afford but most movies, do we really wanna afford too much when they not too bad or even cost up to 30 bucks prolly cause it wasnt watched that much in theaters or that its a blu and dvd is 20 to 16.99 sale.
Slimdude and mkelley most likely have the right answer: It’s probably a rights issue with the music. Even though the movie came out in ’81 it never got a wide home video release until ’95 because of the music rights. Prior to ’95 it was only available for rental only and the very seldom Cable TV broadcast.
“Back in the day” before home video became a huge medium filmmakers would often only secure the music rights for the theatrical release which often meant that when a film was released on home video they would have to replace some of the music. “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” suffered from this, but the creators of “Heavy Metal” most likely felt the music plays too important part of the movie to replace any of the songs.
Seeing how Blu-Ray is a new medium and was not in existence when the music rights issue was corrected back in the mid 90’s there is most likely some new loop-hole that is preventing the release. Maybe they only secured the music rights for VHS and DVD instead of “all future home video formats”?
As many have pointed out seeing how the release was not far off I’m sure they already began production on the release so I doubt they are going to risk having to destroy however many copies they already produced. While this does mean an indefinite delay, I’m sure we will eventually see this get a Blu-Ray release.
As a long-time fan of this film I’m used to delay’s with this title on virtually every home video format since its original release so it’s nothing new as far as I am concerned … patience is a virtue!
Well, that sounds like good news to me. But, again, when (or if) it comes out, I just hope it has more special features than the DVD version. That will be the deciding factor for me to upgrade.
I've spoken to one of Best Buy Customer Service Representatives, and according to their response, Heavy Metal has not scheduled to be released as a Blu-ray exclusive. Heavy Metal is not postponed, its been cancelled, without further notice, as previously documented by Juan Colange. I don't know where, or whom Penton Man is getting his information from, but unlikely its only speculation, and without substantiated proof.
Wow, so it is confirmed that it IS cancelled. Too bad, really. Oh well, I still have my DVD copy, and it's still great to watch. Couldn't give it up no matter what.
I realize how eager you want Heavy Metal on Blu-ray but, If Heavy Metal had intentions of being released on Blu-ray at a later date, then it would be a postponement, not a cancellation. And besides, if any Blu-rays are going to be Best Buy exclusives, the retailer would be the first to know, not Penton Man. Hollywood Insider's information is based upon rumors, until proven facts are officially announced.
While I am sad to hear of the cancellation, we can at least take some comfort in the DVD. I have a Sony PS3 connected to a Sony HDTV and it upconverts the DVD beautifully. Still wishing the Blu-ray would come out though.
