I dont know how credible this is, and take it with a big grain of salt, but it is at least consistent with what happened with the Matrix.

http://www.hidef.com/news-items/979-nab-2007-lotr-hd-dvd-could-happen-soon.html

I have no doubt we will see the theatrical versions of the LoTR trilogy in 2007 in both HD DVD and Blu-ray, and not at the end of 2007.

I have no doubt we will see the theatrical versions of the LoTR trilogy in 2007 in both HD DVD and Blu-ray, and not at the end of 2007.

If that said extended editions I'd be a heck of a lot happier. I have no interest in buying the theatrical versions.

I have no interest in buying the theatrical versions.

Nor do I, but I'm sure I will. :(

If that said extended editions I'd be a heck of a lot happier. I have no interest in buying the theatrical versions.

I have both the theatrical and EEs on DVD... so I certainly wouldn't be upset to be able to replace out my theatrical versions with an HD DVD version.

But, I would also be happier if these were the EEs. Oh well, either way, I'm a happy camper.

Nor do I, but I'm sure I will. :(

LOL. I know exactly how you feel!

I'll probably just wait if these are the theatrical versions. Or maybe rent them.

I wish some of these people asking questions were more savy. They could have asked if it had or would have PiP and that would have answered whether it could be like the Matrix series (where PiP could hold up a Blu-ray version).

--Darin

Nor do I, but I'm sure I will. :(
That's a hoot! I find movie collecting is often 90% resignation.

Nor do I, but I'm sure I will.Robert, I know you speak for the vast majority of HD DVD adherents, myself included.
This will be the biggest, most expensive, "I'm worthless and weak", double-dip of all time imo.
New Line will be laughing all the way to the bank, twice.

Hey, am I the only one here with any willpower? ;)

Get on over to the poll thread folks - I've posted the email contacts to send your emails to New Line and ask for the HD DVD "now!" :)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=834226

Bluray guys ask for the BD as well, by all means!

Prepare for the Double Dip people, New Line will keep the Theatrical Editions out until they have a nice chunk of the HD market, THEN release the EE.

Prepare for the Double Dip people, New Line will keep the Theatrical Editions out until they have a nice chunk of the HD market, THEN release the EE.
Heh! I don't mind double dipping on this one AT ALL :)

Respect! (The LOTR, that is :) )

Hey, am I the only one here with any willpower?Yup. :D
But you'll cave. It's inevitable.

Yup. :D
But you'll cave. It's inevitable.
Heh. ;) Nah. I didn't bother buying them on DVD either. The EE HD DVD will be my first dip.

I waited for the EE on DVD, but then they were too expensive, so I waited some more, and then ended up forgetting about them for a while, and then starting looking at HD DVD. Then I decided to wait some more, but then I heard they were the theatrical editions, and so I thought it couldn't hurt that much to wait even more, now that I've waited this long. :o

And I have all you theatrical edition buyers to blame! :mad: :D

I actually like the TE's more than the EE's, which for the most part made things more bloated and messed with the flow. (like the intro to FOTR for example)


Count me as a HAPPY customer to hear that the TE's are coming first.

Yeah it's hard to find time to sit down for a 3hr movie, the EEs are cool for a first viewing but to long for repeat viewings imo.

I actually like the TE's more than the EE's, which for the most part made things more bloated and messed with the flow. (like the intro to FOTR for example)


Count me as a HAPPY customer to hear that the TE's are coming first.

I remember thinking that the long versions would make clear what I didn't get in the theatrical cut, but I just thought they rambled a bit.

That said, I'm a big Christopher Lee fan, and I thought it stunk that they yanked his scenes from the third installment, especially since his death scene is pretty cool.

Yeah, there are some EE scenes which I thought should've just been put into the TE (gift scene, and Saruman) but the rest I could take or leave.

I remember thinking that the long versions would make clear what I didn't get in the theatrical cut, but I just thought they rambled a bit.

That said, I'm a big Christopher Lee fan, and I thought it stunk that they yanked his scenes from the third installment, especially since his death scene is pretty cool.
Uh oh... You guys are making it hard for me to keep up my will power to get only the EE HD DVDs. :D

I've never actually seen the EEs in their entirety. I have seen the theatrical cuts a few times though.

I won't double dip.

I didn't even go to the cinema to see Return of the King. I didn't rent the DVD when it came out either. I waited until the EE was out and purchased it.

I will do the same with the Hi Def versions and wait for the EE on Blu-ray.

I love the longer versions, all of them. I have no problem with long movies either, in fact they excite me most of all.

Dances With Wolves
The Godfather 1 & 2
Once Upon a Time in America

I can watch them in their entirety many times over, and have.

Having read the books before watching the movies, I can tell you that the ee are FAR better and more in line with the books. The EE of FOTR is one of the best done movies of all time, and had it been released in cinemas, should have won best picture. It is at least 5 times better than the TE of ROTK.

But Star Wars is still the best ever! :D

DVD Verdict did an interview with Michael Pellerin, who is the Peter Jackson's dvd producer, at the beginning of the year. He said that Peter and he had talked about the HD boxset and had reserved a wealth of material specifically for the HD versions. He also said that the wheels began turning but were stopped, as of 1/07, because of the Peter Jackson v. New Line royalty dispute. The interview is on DVD Verdict (http://www.dvdverdict.com/) and is podcast 25. Michael starts to talk about the HD Boxset around 22:56.
So I expect the first New Line LOTR release to be barebones and produced without Peter Jackson's participation. Then the double-dip will be the EE cuts with all the extras and Mr. Jackson's blessing.

I too prefer the extended versions of these movies, but will have NO problem buying the theatrical verisons in high def. As been said, no problems double-dipping on this one.

Having read the books before watching the movies, I can tell you that the ee are FAR better and more in line with the books. The EE of FOTR is one of the best done movies of all time, and had it been released in cinemas, should have won best picture. It is at least 5 times better than the TE of ROTK.

But Star Wars is still the best ever! :D

I read the books before the movies were released, and I appreciated the scenes in the EE that had been left out. I remember thinking, "How in the heck are going to put (blank) onto the movie screen?" I couldn't believe how well they translated these books into movies.

I cannot wait to get my hands on any of the LOTR movies on HD DVD or Blu-Ray. I will be a double-dipper. Can't just wait for EE.

not only will i double dip, but if 7.1 TrueHD or PCM gets released I will likely tun my 5.1 into a 7.1 system for this movie alone. I have two channels on my amp not being used and are just waiting for LOTR.

yep... taking with a grain of salt

New Line won't release the EE until they have sold a nice amount of the Theatrical Editions in order to capatilize on the both releases. The Theatrical Editions will probably hit #1 or #2 on Amazon despite peoples claims they won't buy it. I'll probably try to hold out for the EE to... but everytime I go into Best Buy it will be there "Lord of the Rings HD DVD" (or Blu-Ray for you Blu owners). Eventually many people will crack, lol.

I won't double dip.

I didn't even go to the cinema to see Return of the King. I didn't rent the DVD when it came out either. I waited until the EE was out and purchased it.


Tee hee hee, I got you beat. I go to the theater once a year - on Valentine's day - only because of tradition, I hate the theater experience. I wait for everything to be released on the home front.

I have no problems waiting for the EE.

Acording to the thread "The Big News??"
(would have linked but I don't have permition)


the Blu-ray will be EE and the HD DVD will be Theatrical to be even handed w/ the late release of Matrix on BD.

Acording to the thread "The Big News??"
(would have linked but I don't have permition)


the Blu-ray will be EE and the HD DVD will be Theatrical to be even handed w/ the late release of Matrix on BD.

I can't believe this silly crap is still being posted....

I can't believe this silly crap is still being posted....
What is silly about it?
I never said it was %100 true, just what I read on this forum.

WB has said they are waiting for BD+ to put out Matrix.

I'll probably just wait if these are the theatrical versions. Or maybe rent them.
Me too...

What is silly about it?Just the beginning , the middle and the end. ;)
I never said it was %100 true, just what I read on this forum.Shock I see you're new to these here parts, one little tip; take a certain member whose forum name begins with a "b" and ends with a "7" insider posts with less than a hint of a whiff of a rumor of a fleck of a speck of a grain of salt.

It's possible that we may not see the EE versions for some time considering the current level of animosity between New Line and Peter Jackson.

I certainly hope they can make amends as imo, the EE versions are far superior to the TEs in every way, plus considering the hints of extra scenes etc., for the HD ultimate versions it would be a travesty not to have Jackson involved.

I personally think if the same thing happens with LOTR that happened with the Matrix, then BD may never recover (I know, the link said that too, but its worth mentioning again). That's whether these are the theatrical OR the extended editions. And don't forget about the Harry Potter stuff that is most likely eminent as well. That would be 2 to 3 HUGE pseudo-exclusives for HD DVD.


That's unless of course BD counters with Star Wars (which we all know won't happen for a LONG time).

With the seamless branching, they should be able to put both theatrical and EE on the same release. Let the viewer select which version to watch.

I think HD-DVD supports this. Not sure about BD.

With the seamless branching, they should be able to put both theatrical and EE on the same release. Let the viewer select which version to watch.

I think HD-DVD supports this. Not sure about BD.

Alien versus Predator has seamless branching....

Marek

I personally think if the same thing happens with LOTR that happened with the Matrix, then BD may never recover (I know, the link said that too, but its worth mentioning again). That's whether these are the theatrical OR the extended editions. And don't forget about the Harry Potter stuff that is most likely eminent as well. That would be 2 to 3 HUGE pseudo-exclusives for HD DVD.


That's unless of course BD counters with Star Wars (which we all know won't happen for a LONG time).

for now Spiderman and Pirates can counterstrike against HP and Matrix, yup LOTR would be big ;)

Marek

for now Spiderman and Pirates can counterstrike against HP and MatrixI dunno. In a tag-team I can see Harry Potter's spells giving Spidey some real trouble, all Neo would have to do would is make Jack Sparrow's mascara run and he'd be useless.
Game, Set, Match! :D

I hope the HDDVDs are the EE versions. I've only got the EE of the first one. 2-3 are TC for me.. So it would be a fully worthy upgrade.

I think both sides will get the same. The lack of full IME on matrix BD is just extras. And not the movie so...


But I saw all the movies in 16:9 HD on TNT ahwile back can't wait for the OAR versions...

I got in touch with studios yesterday about the "blood Diamond" release on HD DVD coming a little after the BD version (the BD version is missing IME), because I was concerned about this rumour.

I have heard back and there is no such plan or policy - which negates beatboy's assertion.

I cannot tell the reason for the Blood Diamond release, but trust me, it's a very good thing. Everyone will be REALLY happy with this disc.

As for the LOTR - ignore bb's post. It's completely wrong.