Home Entertainment
December 12, 2007
“Appleseed: Ex Machina” DVD From Warner Home Video
(December 12, 2007 – Burbank, CA) – On March 11, 2008, Warner Home Video presents John Woo’s (“Mission: Impossible II,” “Face/Off”) first Anime production, “Appleseed: Ex Machina,” directed by Shinji Aramaki (“Appleseed,” “Bubblegum Crisis”) on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-Ray Disc. Order due date is February 5, 2008. This all-new original movie will also be available OnDemand and Pay-per-View as well as offered for download on March 11, 2008.
Based on the popular science fiction manga from renowned creator Shirow Masamune (“Ghost in the Shell”), “Appleseed: Ex Machina” follows partners and lovers, Deunan and Briareos. As members of ESWAT, the elite forces serving Olympus, they are deployed wherever trouble strikes. The two fighters find their partnership tested in a new way by the arrival of Tereus who uncannily resembles Briareos before the wartime injuries that led to his becoming a cyborg. At the same time, Olympus finds itself under a stealth attack. Cyborg terrorism, deadly nanotech zealots, and rioting citizens are just some of the threats that Deunan must contend with as she fights to save Olympus and her relationship.
“Appleseed: Ex Machina” will be available on DVD for $24.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Limited Edition DVD Collector Set containing extra bonus materials and packaged in a steel book case available for $34.98 SRP. All of the content from the 2-disc Limited Edition DVD Collector Set will be available on HD DVD and Blu-Ray Disc for $34.99 SRP.
“Appleseed: Ex Machina” DVD will feature incredible special features including:
• “Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki” (Documentary featurette) – The story of two top talents, John Woo, lauded live-action filmmaker, and Shinji Aramaki, acclaimed animation director, working in tandem to launch a shared vision for “Appleseed:Ex Machina.”
• “Revolution: Animating Ex Machina” (Documentary featurette) – A team of revolutionary animators introduce a new technology to the trade, while facing the challenge to balance frenetic action and slick, sci-fi visuals with real emotion and humanity.
• “Audio Commentary” – An audio-only commentary featuring producer Joe Chou and renowned anime expert Jerry Beck (“Behind the Tunes”).
The 2 disc Limited Edition DVD Collector Set will feature even more incredible extras include:
• “Shirow’s Journey: The Appleseed Chronicles” - (Documentary featurette) – From manga to anime, this is the definitive Appleseed history that doubles as a testament to the legendary writer/artist Shirow Masamune and the complex world he created in this vision of the future.
• “Appleseed Ex Machina: East Meets West” (Documentary featurette) - Examining the anime phenomenon from the perspectives of both the Eastern and Western cultures, while exploring the similarities and differences in the ways that fans enjoy the art form.
“A couple of years ago I attended a screening [of ‘Appleseed’] and I was really amazed,” recalls John Woo. "I was glad to become involved with ‘Ex Machina,’ and am so excited to release my first Anime production.”
“‘Appleseed: Ex Machina’ represents the next step in the evolution of Japanese Anime, which continues to grow in popularity in the U.S. and around the world,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Sports Marketing. “The first ‘Appleseed’ movie has sold over 400,000 units since its 2005 release, so with the achievement of the first movie, and with the addition on John Woo to this project, we anticipate a larger success for ‘Appleseed: Ex Machina.’”
Warner Home Video also announced the launch of its “Remix Your Trailer” contest in honor of this release. Fans can log onto www.appleseedtrailerremix.com to manipulate the order of video clips, audio, and other features to create a cool trailer with its own feel that can be shared with friends. The contest runs from December 7th, 2007 through February 7th, 2008.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive roundtrip airfare, hotel, and tickets for two to Wonder Con to meet the main filmmakers of the movie. The winner will be chosen based on total views.
With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Video and New Line Home Entertainment.# # #