TRON blu-ray release postponed!

by: The HORROR Man     source: Blue Sky Disney

I am partially to blame for this happening, but let me explain.

A few weeks ago, I attended a screening of the original Tron at Disney’s California Adventure park.  Mind you, Disney advertised it as being shown in the very spacious Muppet theater, that has an awesome sound system and could do Tron justice. Was this the case? Not in the slightest. The screening was moved to the much smaller and less equipped Animation Academy theater, which by the way, does not even have a proper sound system and the screen was tilted at a 45 degree angle as well. To keep the mood light and not cause a riot, many in attendance made jokes about Tron while it was playing . I honestly feel that this made everyone’s stress level go down a notch.  At the end of the screening everyone clapped and exited the theater laughing and quoting Tron. So for the films release to be pulled due to  supposed negativity is mainly Disneys fault for bad marketing.  Check out what Blue sky Disney has to say and you be the judge. I told you I could explain.

Word has it that earlier this summer the original Tron was screened at one of the theme parks and was laughed at by people who had not seen the original film and mocked it for its now-outdated effects and silly attire of leotards and hockey helmets parodied by the infamous “Tron Guy.” Rumor has it that some Disney execs witnessed their reactions and it made them very, very nervous.

Understandable since they’ve spent millions marketing their “new and improved” Tron Legacy which they hope will be embraced by a new generation of fans. Since then plans to release the original Tron on blu-ray to generate interest in the sequel seem to have been scrapped out of fear that this product of a by-gone era would backfire and turn off their vital demographic from flocking to theaters to see Tron Legacy in December.

Word has it the original Tron will not be released now until sometime next year around the time Legacy is released on DVD and Blu-ray, long after all the box office grosses for Legacy are in. Normally, studios will strategically time the release of catalog DVD and Blu-ray sales to generate hype for a franchise installment and reciprocally to give home video sales a push but this seems to mark the beginning of what could become a counter-trend for studios looking to capture a new fan base without any expectations or preconceptions.

Tron is a fun film but is very outdated. For its time though it was state of the art and grabbed everyone by surprise. Like I said at the outset, its actually Disney’s fault for the reaction to Tron being one of negativity. If the film was screened where it was supposed to be,  I believe it would have been a much better experience for all. Now everyone is being punished for a bad decision by Disney execs. Typical.