Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to Deliver First Blu-Ray Titles to Retail in One Week; Countdown to Eagerly Awaited New Era in Home Entertainment Begins

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2006--Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) will launch the first slate of Blu-ray Disc (BD) titles in just one week, on June 20, 2006. The delivery of the first seven BD titles, timed to coincide with the first commercially available BD player from Samsung Electronics and BD-compatible VAIO PC from Sony, marks the beginning of a new era in home entertainment that will forever change the way consumers look at, listen to and play movies, music and games.

Titles available at retail June 20 from SPHE include: "50 First Dates," starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore; Luc Besson's visually stunning "The Fifth Element;" the hit blockbuster comedy starring Will Smith, "Hitch;" "House of Flying Daggers" from director Zhang Yimou; "XXX," starring Vin Diesel; "The Terminator," featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger; and the follow-up to the hit action-thriller "Underworld," from director Len Wiseman and starring Kate Beckinsale, "Underworld Evolution."

"Ultraviolet," the first day-and-date BD title from SPHE will debut one week later on June 27, along with "The Last Waltz" (MGM) and "A Knight's Tale."

"Ultraviolet," an adrenaline-charged sci-fi thriller starring Milla Jovovich ("Resident Evil Apocalypse," "Fifth Element"), was filmed entirely in high definition. "Ultraviolet's" stunning visuals, including high-flying action stunt sequences, and audio are dramatically enhanced by the Blu-ray format, making it an ideal way for consumers to experience Blu-ray Disc for the first time.

On July 11th, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release "Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addition" on Blu-ray. "Kung Fu Hustle," "Legends of the Fall," "Stealth," "Species," "SWAT" and "Resident Evil Apocalypse" will debut on Blu-ray Disc July 25th.

Please contact the SPHE press office for Blu-ray spokesperson availability and artwork.