Universal Pictures celebrated its 100th anniversary today by revealing a very pretty new logo (above) and announcing the studio’s intention to restore 13 of its most iconic films.

Though the birthday celebrations are a tad early (April 30 is the official date), the ambitious Universal isn’t wasting any time getting its projects up and running. The films that the studio is eye-balling for a digital makeover are: All Quiet on the Western Front, The Birds, Abbott & Costello’s Buck Privates, Dracula (1931), the Spanish-language Dracula filmed on the same set at night, Frankenstein, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Out of Africa, Pillow Talk, Bride of Frankenstein, The Sting and To Kill a Mockingbird (which is getting 50th anniversary Blu-ray treatment on Jan. 31).

The restorations will be released all throughout the coming year, took about six months each to brush up, and cost between $250k and $600k per title. On the motivation for the restoration project, Universal Senior VP of technical operations Michael Daruty said:

“This restoration effort was not about marketability and whether we’re gonna sell enough DVDs, [...] That is what we do on a daily basis, but this was a commitment by the company to say, ‘We’re gonna devote funding and most probably continue that effort year over year to try to preserve and restore the legacy of the company. We’re here to spend the money on these 13 titles and some others, whether we’re gonna get our money back in that first year or not.’ It’s really refreshing.”

Maybe Daruty didn’t get the memo from Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer, who said:

“It is a profit driver, so supporting the DVD/Blu-ray business is of great importance, [...] There will be a number of films in collectible book-style packaging with memorabilia. It’s an area for us to frankly show off and give the audience something they’ve never seen before.”

Well, different strokes I guess.

The new logo makes its debut in front of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax which hits theaters on March 2.

“It didn’t change the logo in a way that audiences wouldn’t completely understand, but it brought us up to date,” said Meyer.

Looking forward to grabbing your restored Jaws or To Kill a Mockingbird Blu-ray from Universal this year?

Universal Pictures Celebrates Turning 100 With New Logo and Classic Film Restorations is a post from: The Inquisitr

Fans of the classic Woody Woodpecker cartoons may soon be able to catch Woody in a new motion picture being created by the Universal-based animation house Illumination Entertainment.

Illumination is the same team behind the hit Despicable Me and they have also been working tirelessly on next years Dr. Suess’ The Lorax.

The Woodpecker movie is reportedly being written by Blades of Glory writers John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky.

A big hit during World War II Woody Woodpecker would spend decades on the big screen (in various shorts) and television where he gained a large following and was even nominated for a 1947 Oscar for “best song” which was the only song ever nominated for a short film.

With Universal purchasing the Woody Woodpcker library of shorts and the rights to the character from Walter Lantz in 1985 it was only a matter of time before they took a shot at bringing the once famous woodpecker to the big screen.

The production staff behind the new movie hopes to modernize the character and create a franchise around Woody Woodpecker and his exploits.

If they ditch the annoying laugh or more likely at least use is sparingly I might give it a chance. Movies these days that simply rely on a patented trademark for a character simply don’t convert well for a new (needed for box office sales) audience, just look at Rocky and Bullwinkle, Yogi Bear, the Flintstones movie and other recent remakes of beloved classics that didn’t bring anything new to the table.

Would you be willing to head out to theaters to see a newly animated Woody Woodpecker movie?

[via THR]

Woody Woodpecker Movie In Development, Will Be Modernized For A New Audience is a post from: The Inquisitr

Netflix is about to get bigger than they already are thanks to new distribution deals that have been announced with both 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios.

Under both deals Netflix will begin carrying more SD and HD titles from both companies, while providing customers with more physical DVDs and Blu-ray films being offered for in-home delivery.

The deal also provides Netflix with various popular TV shows from Fox as part of their instant streaming service, shows which include Bones, 24 and Lie to Me among others.

Of course there is a catch, the studios will have a 28 day window before certain new titles are offered through Netflix. [SlashGear]

Netflix Secures New Distribution Deals With 20th Century Fox And Universal Studios is a post from: The Inquisitr

In yet another sign that the studio executives have either a) ingested too many drugs, b) have no original ideas or c) both of the above, Universal Pictures has green lighted the making of American Pie 4. For release. At the movies, not straight to DVD.

Following the DVD success of the American Pie spin off’s Universal has obviously decided that there is enough juice in the American Pie franchise to justify the fourth in the series.

There is speculation that it might possibly pick up on the whereabouts of now married Jim and Michelle played by Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan. Bringing back all the original characters of Jim, Michelle, Stifler, Finch and that nut bag Eugene Levy who has appeared in each of the follow ups.

Most of the original cast have gone on to mediocre careers. I say hang on to that and for the love of god people, have some dignity. I never thought I would say this, but go back to mutilating 80′s cult classics, the American Pie horse is dead.

American Pie 4: Who thought this was a good idea? is a post from: The Inquisitr