Universal (Finally) Goes Blu-ray

Universal Studios, once the staunchest backer of HD DVD, will be announcing its first slate of high-definition Blu-ray titles now that HD DVD is history.

Universal Studios used to be the staunchest backer of Toshiba’s HD DVD high-definition disc technology, being the only movie studio that didn’t either sit on the fence and support both HD DVD and Blu-ray, or just skip HD DVD altogether and go for Blu-ray from day one. However, when Toshiba folded the HD DVD format back in February, Universal said it regretted that HD DVD hadn’t worked out, but wasted no time in saying it would begin issuing titles in the victorious Blu-ray format. The company is expected to unveil its first slate of Blu-ray titles today, with its first entry into Blu-ray media being Neil Marshall’s box office under-performer Doomsday this July.

Universal is expected to announce today that all new home video released will be released on Blu-ray the same day they become available on standard DVD. Following Doomsday will be films from Universal’s summer lineup, including The Incredible Hulk,Mamma Mia!,The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,Wanted, and Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Universal also plans to start releasing recent catalog titles in Blu-ray format, including the existing three films in the Mummy franchise on July, and films like American Gangster,Knocked Up,The 40 Year-Old Virgin,Miami Vice, and U-571 by the end of the year.

Universal’s move means that of all the major studios, only Paramount has yet to announce its plans for Blu-ray releases.