Post by Jor-L5150 on Aug 15, 2012 17:13:09 GMT -5
Warner Bros. has announced that it is closing its direct-to-video unit, Warner Premiere, citing ongoing declines in the disc retail business.
"Given the continuing decline in the direct-to-video film market and shifting business models in the production of digital series, the decision was made to close Warner Premiere," the studio said in a statement. "The division will continue and complete production on its remaining film and digital series projects into the fall."
Warner Premiere debuted in 2006 when Warner Home Video announced they would enter the market of releasing original direct-to-video films, a market that has proven lucrative for studios over the past few years. They announced much of their output would be follow-ups to films that had done well at the box office theatrically, but wouldn't be expected to do well if a sequel were to be made. The first release under the Warner Premiere banner was the prequel The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. Their second title release was a sequel to the 1999 hit horror film House on Haunted Hill, titled Return to House on Haunted Hill.
In addition to live-action output, the label was used for several direct-to-video animated movies from Warner's corporate siblings DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. These include the features Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse and most recently Superman vs. The Elite.
Thankfully, future releases of direct-to-video animated titles will not be affected by the closure of Warner Premiere. The studio has announced that Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video will continue to produce and release these titles such as Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry and DC Universe.
Warner Bros. next animated release of a DC Universe title is the highly anticipated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns which hits store shelves on October 23, 2012.
"Given the continuing decline in the direct-to-video film market and shifting business models in the production of digital series, the decision was made to close Warner Premiere," the studio said in a statement. "The division will continue and complete production on its remaining film and digital series projects into the fall."
Warner Premiere debuted in 2006 when Warner Home Video announced they would enter the market of releasing original direct-to-video films, a market that has proven lucrative for studios over the past few years. They announced much of their output would be follow-ups to films that had done well at the box office theatrically, but wouldn't be expected to do well if a sequel were to be made. The first release under the Warner Premiere banner was the prequel The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. Their second title release was a sequel to the 1999 hit horror film House on Haunted Hill, titled Return to House on Haunted Hill.
In addition to live-action output, the label was used for several direct-to-video animated movies from Warner's corporate siblings DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. These include the features Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse and most recently Superman vs. The Elite.
Thankfully, future releases of direct-to-video animated titles will not be affected by the closure of Warner Premiere. The studio has announced that Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video will continue to produce and release these titles such as Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry and DC Universe.
Warner Bros. next animated release of a DC Universe title is the highly anticipated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns which hits store shelves on October 23, 2012.
