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In preparation for The Chronicles Of Riddick, set to be the biggest theatrical sci-fi release of 2004, Universal Pictures is releasing a fantastic special edition cut of the original chronicle of Pitch Black, packed with exclusive extras and is a must own for any sci-fi fan.

Released to buy on 16th August 2004, Pitch Black: Special Edition will provide the perfect introduction to the Chronicles Of Riddick as well as adding over 40 minutes of bonus material. The disc boasts many new additional features including a fantastic extra of the opening 9 minutes of The Chronicles Of Riddick, animations, an encyclopaedia, diaries and additional stories about the history of the ultimate anti-hero - Richard B. Riddick.

Pitch Black: Special Edition offers a choice of two film commentaries. Track one features commentary from director David Twohy and actors Vin Diesel and Cole Hauser where they talk about their experiences whilst making the film. Track two has director David Twohy, producer Tom Engleman and visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang explaining how the amazing effects in Pitch Black were created.

Vin Diesel creates a cult icon as Riddick in this epic sci-fi adventure. Riddick is a dangerous fugitive who has been captured and a selected crew is transporting him to a planet to be incarcerated. On the journey the spaceship crash-lands on a remote planet, Riddick escapes and the marooned crew fear for their safety but soon learn that there is much more to fear than the escaped convict... Deadly creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting to attack in the dark and the planet is rapidly plunging into the utter blackness of a total eclipse. With the body count rising, the doomed survivors are forced to turn to Riddick with his night vision to guide them through the darkness to safety.

Created by David Twohy (The Chronicles Of Riddick) and Tom Engelman (The Last Samurai), Pitch Black is a critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller. Hugely critically acclaimed at its theatrical release, Pitch Black provided the introduction to Riddick leaving fans eagerly anticipating the sequel - The Chronicles Of Riddick out in cinemas this summer.

In addition, a stylised, cutting edge 30 minute anime feature, The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury has been created as a prequel to The Chronicles Of Riddick to bridge the gap of Riddick's movements after Pitch Black. An animation masterpiece, Dark Fury will be available to own on DVD from Universal Pictures Video on 16th August 2004. Directed by one of the world's most revered animators Peter Chung (Animatrix - Matriculated, MTV Aeon Flux) and featuring Vin Diesel as the voice and likeness of Riddick, Dark Fury is an all-new visionary film with dazzling graphics. This 30 minute sci-fi film will grip Riddick / sci-fi fans and is exclusive to DVD and video.

Special Features

  • An Introduction by David Twohy (2.23 minutes) - In this brief introduction to Pitch Black by Director David Twohy, viewers will gain a broader perspective on the events that transpire in Pitch Black, preparing them for events to unfold in The Chronicles of Riddick
  • Explores the subtle but perverse conceptual connections between the small horror film Pitch Black and the new Riddick trilogy
  • The Game is On (1.46 minutes) feature delves into Riddick's past as to summarise his 'life' leading up to the events of Pitch Black, such how he got his eyes "shined", how he met the freelance merc Johns, and how he ended up getting captured. This DVD featurette will utilise animatics and concept art created during the development of The Chronicles of Riddick video game
  • The Johns Chase Log (14.10 mins) A visual, animated and interactive day-by-day diary of the 'merc' Johns pursuit of Riddick. Taking cues from elements of the backstory mentioned in Pitch Black, this feature creates a more complete story of the chase and capture of Riddick which traverses many planet systems and prison facilities
  • Through a combination of hand written journal entries dotted with half thoughts and incomplete sentences, scribbles, diagrams, and cryptic video elements, viewers will gain a broader understanding of how Johns was almost killed by Riddick, how he became addicted to morphine, and how he was eventually able to track and capture this elusive and lethal man
  • The Chronicles of Riddick Visual Encyclopaedia (4.41 minutes) A sneak peek at the complete Visual Encyclopaedia which will be included on the Riddick DVD. Using an interactive interface coupled with production art and drawings, the consumer can familiarize themselves with the complex worlds, language and terminology from The Chronicles of Riddick
  • Dark Fury: Advancing The Arc (1.28 minutes) Featurette and preview to The Chronicles of Riddick Dark Fury - the animated prequel to The Chronicles of Riddick that bridges the gaps between Pitch Black and the first chapter of The Chronicles of Riddick follows Riddick, Imam and Jack as they find their way back onto the trade routes and into another adventure. Using glimpses of b-roll filmed at the South Korean animation studios, extensive production art, and interviews with Animator Peter Chung and Writer Brett Matthews, viewers get a sense of how large the Chronicles of Riddick universe will be
  • A View into the Dark (4.04 mins) - An early look into The Chronicles of Riddick (introducing viewers to these darker worlds),featuring new interviews with Vin Diesel and David Twohy
  • The Making of Pitch Black featurette (4:41 minutes)
  • Feature Commentaries
    • Track One: Director David Twohy and actors Vin Diesel and Cole Hauser
    • Track Two: Director David Twohy, Producer Tom Engleman and Visual Effects Supervisor Peter Chiang
  • Hunt For Riddick Website Link (on English menu sets only)