We've
known for over a year that DVDs for the original
Bewitched TV series would hit the market in 2005, to tie in with the new theatrical film that will have Nicole Kidman playing "Samantha," Will Ferrell playing "Darrin," and Shirley MacLaine playing "Endora" (actually, in the film each plays a character who is playing those parts in a TV show...you'll find out more about this as the full trailers come out, and you can see a teaser now at
Sony's official filmsite).
Since our November 2003 news, there hasn't been anything to report about these DVDs, because Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (formerly Columbia/Tristar) routinely keeps very close-mouthed about upcoming projects. But now we have a tip from a reader who only identifies himself as "David" that points us to
a rumor at HarpiesBazaar.com's message boards. The poster is "RP," and let's read what "RP" has to say:
DVD (Inside?) News
Posted by RP on December 17, 2004, 5:03 pm
First,let me first state my source:
My lit agent is presently conducting movie rights negotiations with SONY for several of his writers. I asked him to see if he could find out any info on the Bewitched DVD's. The person he is working with is not involved with DVD production, but that person made a few phone calls to people in that area. This is what was relyed to me. Take it for what it is worth. Anything could be happening,of course, but I do know that this came from SONY.
Bewitched DVD release tentatively set for April 2005, Season 1 and Season 2 will be available separately, but released simultaneously. Only in black and white, no color, no special material very basic set, $39.95 each, but may retail at $34.95 each.
Of course, release of color seasons dependent upon sales of the b&w years.
As I said, anything could be happening, but I do know that this came from a SONY person.
This is great news, if accurate. The one thing that bothers us here at TVShowsOnDVD is the "April" timeframe. The teaser trailer we mention above says that the film is coming in July 2005, and it's very unlike Sony to release a tie-in DVD set 3 months in advance of the film. The entire point is to get both to market at about the same time, so fans of one help support the other. What "RP" is telling us is otherwise very much like the kind of plans Sony tends to make, however, so we suspect that the info is probably correct except for the April timeframe (which was said to be "tentative").
Late June seems more like where this will end up on the schedule, but that's just me thinking out loud. My apologies to "RP" if that line of thought doesn't sit well; no offense is intended but I did want to discuss the idea that the plans that were posted might not be finalized yet, and certainly the theatrical release has a great deal to do with it all. It's up to Sony.
It's doubtful that Sony will go on-the-record at this time with their plans, since its still very early in the schedule, but we'll ask them about it nevertheless. Stay tuned for updates, and we'll see what news we can twitch up!
