Universal outlines 100th anni plans

Marking its 100th anniversary this season, Universal Pictures has formally organized plans for any yearlong celebration, such as the restoration of 13 films and also the unveiling from the studio's new logo design. The studio and it is home theatre division will introduce a restricted-edition 100th-anni collector's number of Dvd disks and Blu-ray dvds, and Universal Parks and Resorts will host several occasions devoted towards the centennial. Universal prexy-chief operating officer Ron Meyer told Variety the sum total of anni activities has presented the very best ambitions from the studio's teams. "I did not begin with the corporation, but I do think it is indeed my family, and I am glad I could check this out celebration get together," Meyer stated. "A lot of people labored so difficult about this too. I am talking about people would do a full day-job after which put work into planning this, and so i think a large thing about this celebration is praising individuals individuals who done it too.Inch The 13 films which were the topic of the restoration work is "All Quiet around the Western Front," "The Wild birds," "Buck Privates," "Dracula" (1931), "Dracula" (in The spanish language, 1931), "Frankenstein," "Jaws," "Schindler's List," "From Africa," "Pillow Talk," "Bride of Frankenstein" "The Sting" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Recently, the studio carried out an excursion for that press of methods the restoration process had been handled and described the 13 films were selected for restoration due to their significance towards the motion picture community, how big the film, the pedigree from the filmmaker or just how much the film needed restoration. Meyer stated upkeep work is vital that you all of the galleries which U's restoration focus on the 13 photos made sense included in the anniversary year. "I've four kids of my very own and that i don't believe them were alive when many of these films arrived on the scene and that i would like them to have the ability to enjoy films like "Schindler's List" and "From Africa" within their full figure," he stated. For the studio's new logo design, it will likely be attached first towards the trailer of "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," that has its premiere in Feb and bows in theaters March 2. As the logo design went through several iterations through the years, Meyer stated this latest edition will possess a different look. It will likewise be supported by audio. The studio's centennial occurs the heels of 1 of their best years. Universal entered the billion-dollar mark in the domestic B.O. this year because of such films as "Fast Five," "Hop" and "Bridesmaids." The entire year also saw Meyer, chairman Adam Fogelson and co-chair Donna Langley receive extensions within their current positions. For 2012, the studio has tentpoles "Battleship," "Snow Whitened and also the Huntsman" and "The Bourne Legacy" on its slate. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com