‘8 Mile’ DVD to Boast Exclusive Eminem Video
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) – The new Eminem music video “Superman” will be made available only on the “8 Mile” DVD, to be released March 18.
The move represents the latest precedent-setting strategy by a record company in an effort to encourage consumers to buy music once more rather than download it.
Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA) chairman Jimmy Iovine said that not putting the video on MTV or anywhere else is just another step record companies are taking to bring added value to packaged material as the industry defines a new relationship among consumers, artists and record companies.
The album on which “Superman” appears, “The Eminem Show,” was the top seller last year, and “8 Mile” was the top soundtrack. IGA and “8 Mile” movie distributor Universal Pictures are both units of Vivendi Universal.
The Universal Studios Home Video (USHV) release also will include about 25 minutes of deleted scenes featuring Eminem spontaneously rising to the challenge in five “rap battle” sequences filmed by director Curtis Hanson, who introduces and describes the scenes on the DVD.
USHV president Craig Kornblau said it was important to reignite the heat for the movie, which had an opening weekend of $51 million on its way to $116 million in domestic box office.
Although terms were not disclosed, Iovine said a mutually satisfying deal was struck with Universal for the exclusive “Superman” video. The clip for “Lose Yourself,” the enormously popular Eminem song from the movie, will not be included on the DVD, however.
The multimillion-dollar national media promotion for the DVD will kick off during the broadcast of the Grammys on Feb. 23. Eminem is competing for five Grammys.
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