press release

For immediate release

THIS YEAR'S CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED RECORD-BREAKING BLOCKBUSTER ARRIVES ON TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION
DVD AND VHS ON NOVEMBER 30

SPIDER-MAN 2
 
From Director Sam Raimi and Producers Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad and Starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, the Highly-Anticipated DVD Features More Than 10 Hours of Bonus Materials and Commentaries

CULVER CITY, Calif., August 20, 2004 - Hailed as the best reviewed film among a crowded summer of mega-hits, the highly-acclaimed Spider-Man 2 leaps onto two-disc DVD and VHS on Tuesday, Nov. 30 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.  The film opened to shattering numbers at the box office so far, earning $361 million domestically and over $700 million worldwide.

The Spider-Man 2 two-disc DVD, arriving just in time for the holidays, will be available in wide and full screen versions.  Other SKUs available will be a DVD two-pack of the original Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 (in both wide and full screen two-packs) and a Spider-Man 2 Superbit DVD which uses a high bit-rate digital transfer process which optimizes video quality and offers both DTS and 5.1 audio.  Also available is a collectible gift set containing the Spider-Man 2 widescreen DVD, a postcard collection of Spider-Man 2 artwork, exclusive limited edition 25-page comic book artists' portfolio, collectible "concept-to-screen comparison" portfolio and a re-print of the Marvel comic book, The Amazing Spider-Man #50, titled "Spider-Man No More."

The celebrated sequel garnered national acclaim and earned applause from Peter Travers at Rolling Stone who called Spider-Man 2 "…a rare comic-book sequel that one-ups the original."  Tough film critics Ebert & Roeper gave Spider-Man 2 "two thumbs way up!"

Once again starring Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man, Seabiscuit, The Cider House Rules), Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man, Mona Lisa Smile, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Cat's Meow), James Franco (Spider-Man, The Company, City By The Sea), and Alfred Molina (Identity, Frida, Chocolat), the sequel reunites the original film's outstanding production team: director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Gift, Evil Dead, A Simple Plan), producer Laura Ziskin (Spider-Man, As Good As It Gets, To Die For) and Marvel's Avi Arad (Spider-Man, The Hulk, X-Men and X2: X-Men United). 

The Spider-Man 2 two-disc DVD is loaded with more than ten hours of all new content and  includes an exclusive 12-part documentary on the making of Spider-Man 2, a groundbreaking multi-angle behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the action-packed sequence on the Pier, director and talent commentaries, bloopers and more.  Arguably one of the most impressive comic-book-turned-movie properties, the Spider-Man 2 DVD is expected to set all-time records, surpassing the original DVD's record-breaking scores. 

"Spider-Man's extraordinary mass appeal crosses demographics of young and old and possesses an allure to both action fans and romantic movie-goers," said Benjamin S. Feingold, President of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment division.  "Translating across audiences, the Spider-Man 2 DVD is poised to rank as one of the most popular choices on everyone's year-end holiday wish list and a must-have purchase that will dominate home entertainment revenue in the fourth quarter.  It will be an instant collector's item."

SPECIAL DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:

Disc One

  • Commentary with director Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, producer Avi Arad and co-producer Grant Curtis
  • Technical Commentary
  • Blooper Reel
  • "Spidey Sense 2" trivia track with "pop-up" facts and trivia about the film and the world of Spider-Man
  • Four Web-i-sodes - original online featurettes from the film's theatrical release
  • Train "Ordinary" music video
  • Previews

Disc Two

  • "Making the Amazing" - A 12-part documentary from pre-production to the Hollywood premiere
  • "Hero in Crisis" - A deeper look into Peter Parker and his personal battles in the continuing story of Spider-Man
  • Ock-Umentary: "Eight Arms to Hold You" - A special look at Doc Ock from the comics to the big screen
  • "Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man" - A look into the lives of Mary Jane, Aunt May and the other women in Peter Parker's life
  •   "Enter the Web" - A groundbreaking multi-angle look behind-the-scenes at the climatic Pier sequence captured in real-time
  • Art Gallery - A collection of Alex Ross' paintings used in the opening credits of the film
  • Activision's "Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game" - A behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Spider-Man 2: The Game"
  • Weblinks

Spider-Man 2 Gift Set Items

  • 2-Disc Widescreen Special Edition DVD
  • Exclusive Limited Edition Portfolio of Artwork
  • Over 25 well known comic book artists created artwork inspired by "Spider-Man 2" specifically for, and only available in, this collector's edition DVD
  •   Collectible "Concept to Screen Comparison" Portfolio
  • View the transformation of various scenes of "Spider-Man 2" from sketches and concepts to images from the final production
  • Postcard Collection of "Spider-Man 2" Artwork
  • Five postcards which feature original artwork used in the theatrical advertising campaign of "Spider-Man 2" including the well known trilogy campaign of "Sacrifice," "Choice" and "Destiny"
  • "The Amazing Spider-Man #50" Comic Book
  • Reduced size reprinting of the original comic book in which Peter Parker decides to give up being Spider-Man

SPIDER-MAN 2 SYNOPSIS

Two years have passed since the mild-mannered Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) walked away from his longtime love Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and decided to take the road to responsibility as Spider-Man. Peter must face new challenges as he struggles to cope with "the gift and the curse" of his powers while balancing his dual identities as the elusive superhero Spider-Man and life as a college student. The relationships Peter holds most dear are now in danger of unraveling as he clashes with the powerful, multi-tentacled villain Doctor Octopus aka "Doc Ock" (Alfred Molina).

Peter's life-long yearning for M.J. becomes even stronger as he fights the impulse to abandon his secret life and declare his love. In the meantime, M.J. has moved on with her life. She has embarked on an acting career and has a new man in her life. Peter's relationship with his best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) has been overshadowed by Harry's growing vendetta against Spider-Man, whom he holds responsible for his father's death.

Peter's life becomes even more complicated when he is pitted against the powerful new nemesis, "Doc Ock."  Peter must now learn to accept his fate and harness all his superhero talents in order to stop this diabolical madman in his octagonal tracks.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

SPIDER-MAN 2 Two-Disc DVD
Street Date:                  Nov. 30, 2004
Program Length:           Approx. 127 minutes
Rating:                          PG-13
Suggested List Price:     $29.96
Audio:                          English 5.1, English Dolby Surround, French 5.1, Spanish Dolby Surround
Subtitles:                       English, French, Spanish

SPIDER-MAN 2 SUPERBIT DVD
Street Date:                  Nov. 30, 2004
Program Length:           Approx. 127 minutes
Rating:                          PG-13
Suggested List Price:     $26.96
Audio:                          English 5.1, English DTS
Subtitles:                       English, French, Spanish

DVD GIFTSET WITH COLLECTIBLES
Suggested List Price:     $49.95

End of release