Peter Jackson said it might take awhile to get support for converting "The Lord of the Rings" into 3D, though that's exactly what he wants to do. Now we learn that Blu-ray adopting "Rings" fans have a wait of their own in store, for hi-def versions of Jackson's extended editions. Tolkien fans should be getting an HD "Lord of the Rings" trilogy in time for Christmas this year, but the word from Jackson is that extended edition cuts of the three films won't be out on Blu-ray for at least another year.
Jackson has been talking to the studio about doing some new extras for the Blu-ray extended editions, according to Collider, but those discs will be in a separate release, not likely to appear until a year after the November 3 launch for the theatrical editions. Jackson didn't reveal what new material might be included, but it sounds like extended Blu-ray editions are in the cards. As if there was ever any doubt.
If everything stays on schedule, the discs may still beat Guillermo del Toro's "The Hobbit" by a year, according to Jackson's December 2011 prediction for the film. Then again, maybe we just won't be seeing those extended cuts for two years.
The extended editions of the "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" already clock in at more than eleven hours with special features, so it may be possible for hardcore fans to make it through the Blu-ray releases at least once before the prequel film comes to theaters. By that point, maybe there will be enough buzz for Jackson to get the 3D edition he wants to see.
Are you planning to buy the "Lord of the Rings" theatrical edition Blu-ray set when it comes out in November, or are you going to hold out for the extended cuts? Sound off in the comment section below.
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