I do not own either format. But, from the release and new interview from Spielberg on Close Encounters. He seems to favor Blu-Ray. In any case does he still have the pull to say to Paramount you have to release Transformers on Blu-Ray also?

Thanks!

Nope. The rights to distribution are negotiated well before the point of distribution. That kind of discussion would have taken place over a year ago. That is kind of the point of a studio paying for the movie to be made. That gives them the right to market it how they see fit. It is a paramount exclusive.

Nope. The rights to distribution are negotiated well before the point of distribution. That kind of discussion would have taken place over a year ago. That is kind of the point of a studio paying for the movie to be made. That gives them the right to market it how they see fit. It is a paramount exclusive.

This is true but there is more to it than just signed deals. There are also future business partnerships to consider. Bottom line, Paramount does not want to piss off Spielberg. Spielberg does have the pull. Whether Spielberg will act on it, I am not sure. Its not clearcut as you think ...ergo the Spielberg exception in the Paramount HD DVD deal.

i think he only has influence on the movies he directed so we get the indiana jones movies if they are released.

I don't think spielberg would have as much pull with the Paramount distribution of Indy if it weren't for the fact that there is a fourth one coming out next year and I think he would be intending for waiting it out at the moment. They didn't say he won't release his films on HD DVD. It just stated that he hasn't chosen one over the other. Hell my indy VHS set in 1999 has them discussing the fourth film... Took them ten years to get it made. Not to mention how long it took to get a widescreen VHS and not to mention DVD after that. he waits till he can make the most money he can on stuff. He doesn't direct that much these days. So i would venture he is making sure royalties are making the most they can for their buck! I would.

Can I get a link to him making a statement indicating a preference in the format war? I keep hearing this and would like to read it.