‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ is currently the only Indiana Jones adventure available in high definition however all that is soon about to change with the recent press release indicating that the complete adventures of Indiana Jones will be available in September 2012. The new set will be comprised of the four feature films as well as one disc of extras. Specific details of the bonus features have not yet been released by Paramount though no doubt this disc will feature hours of content for fans to enjoy.
You can see the box art for the blu-ray set as well as the full press release below;
ON SEPTEMBER 18th, THE MAN WITH THE HAT COMES HOME
LOOKING BETTER THAN EVERINDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES
INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY™ FOR THE FIRST TIME, COMPLETELY REMASTERED AND INCLUDING A METICULOUSLY RESTORED VERSION OF RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 26, 2012) – In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures-Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes-why did it have to be snakes?-all with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution.
Supervised by director Steven Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving the original look, sound and feel of the iconic film. The original negative was first scanned at 4K and then examined frame-by-frame so that any damage could be repaired.
The sound design was similarly preserved using Burtt’s original master mix, which had been archived and unused since 1981. New stereo surrounds were created using the original music tracks and original effects recorded in stereo but used previously only in mono. In addition, the sub bass was redone entirely up to modern specifications and care was taken to improve dialogue and correct small technical flaws to create the most complete and highest quality version of the sound possible while retaining the director’s vision. The result is an impeccable digital restoration that celebrates the film and its place in cinematic history.
The installments in the franchise have won a combined seven Academy Awards®. Relive every heart-pounding thrill like never before as all four films arrive together, for the first time presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio accompanied by a collection of documentaries, interviews, featurettes and new bonus features.
About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.Lucasfilm, Indiana Jones™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
Australian online retailers have made the set available for pre-order.
In other Indiana Jones news, at appears that Indiana Jones V which has been previously rumoured to be a short term possibility, is now largely on the back burner for the foreseeable future. It is being reported that Producer Frank Marshall who has worked on many popular franchises including Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, the Bourne franchise, and of course Indiana Jones, has said that as far as he knows George Lucas is not currently writing a screenplay for a fifth Indy film. Marshall referenced the need for a strong story and admitted that they can be difficult to make.
So while Indy fans have plenty to look forward to for now with the new blu-ray set on the way, they may need to be happy with the films that currently exist, and possibly be thankful (?) that a fifth film does not seem to be in the works.
