The digital age is well and truly here. Nearly anything a person could want in terms of media is now available at the mere click of a button, streamed directly to any device imaginable. Yet while the efficiency and ease of digital streaming is undeniable, there are still those who prefer the comfortable metallic sheen of physical discs; but is there enough room in this town for both of them?
Not according to the director of Shazam! While responding to a question on Twitter, David Sandberg spoke on the future of physical media, and the difficulties of getting physical releases approved. When asked if there would be more Blu-Ray releases of his films, he responded that "Unfortunately I think the best days of physical media and special features are behind us." The director elaborated that the Blu-Ray of Directing Annabelle: Creation only existed because he had taken it on himself to make it happen.
Sandberg also bemoaned the lack of commentary tracks in many releases these days, complaining that he is often told "people don't listen to them" by those in charge. He also admitted that he knew many people were disappointed that the commentary track for Shazam! was released as an iTunes digital exclusive, and not as part of a physical release. The director mentioned he had been considering a behind the scenes podcast as a sort of alternative to a traditional commentary track, admitting: "With commentary tracks I sometimes want to say more about a scene but then it's suddenly a new scene."
In the meantime however, Sandberg likely won't have much time to ponder the bigger questions about physical media and its staying power. As the director of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, he has a lot to live up to after the original film, which ended up being one of the more heartfelt and genuinely funny films in the DC Cinematic Universe. While little else is known about the film, or even if it will be able to start production soon, hopefully Sandberg and the fans get a full physical release with all the commentary they could ever hope for.
Shazm! Fury of the Gods is set to release November 4, 2022.
Source: David Sandberg/Twitter