Coming Attractions: FUTUREWORLD (1976) Theatrical Trailer

Following up on yesterday's great Westworld/Futureworld news, here's the original theatrical trailer for Richard T. Heffron's return to the Delos resorts, where nothing can possibly go wrong... again. Futureworld. Enjoy.

News: WESTWORLD (1973) & FUTUREWORLD (1976) Coming To Blu-ray In March

Here's some good news for those of us Star Kids who are equipped for HDTV: Warner Home Video will be releasing the 1973 Michael Chricton killer android thriller Westworld, starring James Brolin, Richard Benjamin (Quark) and the unstoppable Yul Brynner (The Ultimate Warrior), on Blu-ray disc in March of 2013.

And in a nice bit of marketing syncronicity, Shout Factory has licensed the rights to the 1976 American-International-produced, Richard T. Heffron-directed sequel, Futureworld, starring Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner (with a cameo by Brynner) and will also be releasing it on Blu in March!

I can't wait! Wouldn't it be extra-cool if Warner Archive would take this opportunity to unearth from the vaults and dust off the short-lived 1980 television series Beyond Westworld at the same time?

Both of these eagerly-anticipated Blu-ray discs are available for pre-order from Amazon:

Westworld [Blu-ray]

Futureworld [Blu-ray]

FUTUREWORLD (1976) International Posters

Futureworld, American-International Pictures' 1976 sequel to MGM's Westworld may not have been as good as its precursor, nor as memorable, but it did have some striking advertising art.

The film, which had a pair of investigative reporters (portrayed by Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner) investigating the newly re-opened Delos android theme park (now, with added attraction, "Futureworld," simulating a trip to Mars!) had some potential, but the lack of story input by Westworld scribe Michael Crichton, combined with rather plodding direction by Richard T. Heffron, resulted in a fairly pedestrian sci-fi "thriller." Too bad. I love Westworld and the Delos concept....

Cool posters, though!

News: FUTUREWORLD (1976) Now on DVD

As a prime example of how MOD (Manufacture-On-Demand) operations from the major studios are changing the face of cult video, I only just discovered that Fox's new "MGM Limited Edition Collection" of MOD DVDs included the 1976 sequel to Westworld among its first wave of titles (which came out last month), with virtually no fanfare (which is why I missed it, no doubt).

Futureworld takes audiences back to the Delos resort and its robots, and starred Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner. Yul Brynner makes a brief appearance as his iconic Gunslinger in a dream sequence. It's nowhere near as good as Michael Crichton's original film, but it's fun.

The disc includes a non-remastered but high-quality transfer in the original 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, and includes the original trailer. No other extras are included.

The disc is currently only available for mail order through the major online retailers, including Amazon: Futureworld

Futureworld is also currently available on Netflix Instant for online viewing.