There are some cousins here advocating not to buy the DVD as is. I am just trying to figure out in my little mind if that is a good idea. If the NODS sales are poor that would back WB's decision in not paying for the restoration. On the other hand if the NODS sales are great would that change WB's position? Or is it that we have reached a point in time where after all of the movies' DVDs are released including the new movie, WB will completely cut off all ties to the DS franchise. I am assuming there will not be a sequel.
This is how I look at it, and why I am so blistering mad - for Darren and us.
It took them until the end of the DVD era to even release it on disc. It would have to do exceptionally well to even warrant another physical release. We all thought that two big names in Hollywood (Burton and Depp) would create a motion picture that could spawn a DS revival. Apparently that didn't happen. And if the efforts of Burton and Depp couldn't help in getting the restored DVD/BRD release (It has been argued that they actually hurt it, but I won't go there), it looks very bleak. Night would have to sell exceptionally well for the studio to consider re-releasing it as it is, without the restoration. It would have to do even better to get the restoration. Now it is possible that it will, since so many people have wanted these films for so long. And it is possible that fans of the new film will bite on these, though for a barebones release, it's kind of expensive (perhaps big box markdowns will help).
Warner Bros. didn't learn their lesson from the film - that you have to support the fans to avoid negative reactions from the get-go which inspire initial apathy at the box office or at the supermarket checkout stand. Releasing a bare bones DVD/BRD is silly, because, as is seen here, some fans won't bite because they feel it's the same thing they already have. Warner Bros. is not helping its own cause, and, at this point, it doesn't appear that they want to. Note that they didn't even have to release the restoration, but a few audio commentaries or mini-specials could have made the difference for some fans. But I don't know if that difference will be made now, meaning another 20 years without seeing any part of the restored version released? Like I said, I'd love for Warner Bros. to relinquish the rights to these movies, so another studio can do the right thing. What I'd really love is for Warner Bros. to step up to the plate and realize their mistake and fix it.
Now, if by some chance, we do get a sequel or a re-envisioning of the Burton film, things could change. But that would be a miracle.
As always, I thank Darren for all of his hard work. I have been following this for years now, so I know how much you have been through, and it's just not fair. I too want to chime in and tell you that I am very sorry.