‘Mission’ DVD reissue coincides with new film

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Paramount Pictures is
preparing a 10th anniversary DVD edition of “Mission:
Impossible” to coincide with the theatrical debut of the
long-awaited second sequel, “Mission: Impossible 3.”

The DVD hits stores April 11 and will include one free
ticket to any movie theater to see the new “M-I:3,” which opens
May 5, nearly six years after the previous installment in the
Tom Cruise action franchise. “Mission: Impossible 2,” directed
by John Woo, earned $215.4 million in U.S. theaters, while the
Brian De Palma-helmed original grossed $181 million.

The DVD includes several hours of behind-the-scenes
featurettes, including “Mission: Remarkable — 40 Years of
Creating the Impossible,” “Mission: Explosive Exploits,”
“Mission: Spies Among Us,” “Mission: Catching the Train,”
“Mission: International Spy Museum,” “Mission: Agent Dossiers,”
“Excellence in Film: Cruise” and “Generation: Cruise.” The
movie ticket, meanwhile, is valid through May 14.

Universal Studios scored big with special-edition DVDs of
“The Bourne Identity” and “The Fast and the Furious” when their
respective sequels hit theaters. In each case, a movie ticket
to the sequel was included with the DVD.

Michael Arkin, senior vp marketing at Paramount Pictures
Home Entertainment, said awareness from the theatrical campaign
of the new film drives DVD sales, while the free movie ticket
boosts box office revenue because most people don’t go to the
movies alone.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter