A number of reports have been circulating around the Net in the last couple of days, regarding those updated Batman special edition DVDs that Warner's been working on. Both Dark Horizons and Batman on Film have posted some interesting details on this. Reportedly, director Tim Burton re-recorded his audio commentary tracks for Batman and Batman Returns with a "special guest." Extras are expected to include trailers, TV spots, vintage footage, new featurettes and a feature-length documentary (for Batman). Joel Schumacher has also apparently recorded new commentary for Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, and is reportedly working on a new, 150-minute extended cut of Forever to be included on the DVD via seamless branching. At least the original Batman is expected to street in May (just prior to the release of Batman Begins in theaters) and a box set of all four films is planned for October or November.
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Batman on Film recently got contacted by a source who has some more info on the upcoming special edition DVDs of the first four "Batman" films. Amongst the facts gleaned:
- The first two films are finished. Tim Burton re-recorded his commentary tracks with a "guest." Disc One of both will include remastered pictures and sound with commentary. Disc 2 has trailers, TV Spots, vintage footage and a new featurette on the film. The first film also gets a feature length documentary.
- Joel recorded commentary tracks for the theatrical edition of "Batman Forever" along with "Batman & Robin". Afterwards Joel decided to ask WB to recut "Forever" back to something that resembles his original edit. WB agreed and gave him a budget to do so. Joel is currently in Burbank working on some alterations to the film.
- It's expected the original version will be there with the new cut to be done with 'seamless branching' technology. The extended cut is expected to run around 2 hrs 35 mins. Schumacher is going to add as much footage as possible back in. Also some of the effects were not finished in the early workprint and they need to be finished and he has been given a small budget to work with for that, all new effects will be digital.
Current title is going to be '10th Anniversary Extended Director's Cut'.
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