word from Paramount that DreamWorks Animation will also follow its studio parent and end HD DVD support. DreamWorks Animation sole remaining HD DVD release, 'Bee Movie' (originally scheduled for March 11) has been cancelled.

Ending weeks of speculation, Paramount says 'Into the Wild' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire' will be its last two HD DVD releases.


Although the studio has yet to issue a formal statement, when asked to confirm retail reports that it had canceled the majority of its upcoming HD DVD slate, a Paramount rep told us that following the next week's HD DVD releases of 'Into the Wild' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire,' the studio will no longer issue any further titles on the format.

According to a just-published article in The Hollywood Reporter, the studio is expected to release its first new Blu-ray titles this summer.

Paramount (and its subsidiary DreamWorks) had nearly a half-dozen HD DVD titles scheduled for release through early Spring. Here is a complete list of the studio's previously-announced titles that have now been cancelled:

March 25: 'The Jack Ryan Collection,' 'The Kite Runner'
April 1: 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'
April 15: 'There Will Be Blood '

Although Paramount stressed to us that their confirmation today did not cover titles released by the independently-owned DreamWorks Animation, Video Business is reporting that the studio's only currently scheduled HD DVD title 'Bee Movie' has also been canceled. At press time there was no official comment from DreamWorks Animation.

Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on further details of Paramount/DreamWorks transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.