While word leaked out a day or two ago, Universal has just officially announced that “The Incredible Hulk” will be smashing onto DVD and Blu-ray October 21^st.  They’ve also released what will be coming on the DVD and Blu-ray as extras…but the press release is still missing some key information.

When I interviewed Director Louis Leterrier for the theatrical release, he mentioned that he wanted to include about 70 minutes of deleted scenes on the Blu-ray/DVD. While the press release does say deleted scenes will be included, no info is given on how many minutes.

While I applaud Louis for wanting to include all 70, I think there is no way Marvel and Universal will let him include all of it, as having deleted scenes in the vault is a way to get people to double dip for another DVD/Blu-ray down the road. After all, most people would be happy with 20 or 30 minutes of deleted scenes on this edition…and if in a year or two, if they released another version with 30 more minutes of deleted scenes, a lot of people would buy that edition as well. While I can hope all 70 is in this edition….we all know it isn’t.

Anyway, here’s the cover art and info provided by Universal.

From the Marvel Universe of the world’s most popular Super Heroes comes the $234.6 million worldwide summer hit that fans have been waiting for as THE INCREDIBLE HULK  blasts onto DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Marvel Studios on October 21, 2008.   Filled with unstoppable action, spectacular visual effects, and non-stop thrills, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is directed by Louis Leterrier and features an all-star cast including Academy Award nominees Edward Norton and Tim Roth, Liv Tyler and Academy Award winner William Hurt.  The visually spectacular, super-charged release will be available in three versions: a three-disc Special Edition DVD available for a limited time only; a two-disc Blu-ray release, offered in collectible 3D lenticular packaging for a limited time only; and a single-disc DVD edition.

Both the Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray releases include over two hours of bonus extras, including an exclusive, never-before-seen alternate opening and a digital copy of the film that is iPod, PC or MAC compatible.   The two-disc Blu-ray set, offering the perfect picture and purest digital sound, will also include all-new, interactive features including My Chat,  an innovative application that allows viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film for a fully immersive, exclusive experience.

The suspense-filled, action-packed story is the epic tale of Dr. Bruce Banner, whose life has been changed forever by a dose of gamma radiation that transforms him when provoked into the terrifying and powerful Hulk.  Though pursued by military leaders intent on harnessing his unbelievable strength as a secret weapon, Banner must call upon the hero within himself to battle an equally powerful adversary, The Abomination. 

The single-disc edition includes the film and deleted scenes.   In addition to these components, both the Special Edition DVD and the Blu-ray Hi-Def release will include the following:

BONUS FEATURES – SPECIAL EDITION DVD AND BLU-RAY HI-DEF: 

     •   Alternate Opening

• The Making of THE INCREDIBLE HULK:  An in-depth look at the making of the blockbuster film, featuring interviews with Edward Norton, director Louis Leterrier, and producers Avi Arad, Kevin Feige and Gale Anne Hurd and the entire cast and crew. The documentary covers the film’s innovative take on the character, look and storyline, as well as the casting process, production and profile of director Louis Leterrier.
• Becoming The Hulk: This featurette focuses on Edward Norton’s approach to the iconic role and the incredible visual effects employed by award-winning studio Rhythm & Hues to create the character on screen.
• Becoming The Abomination:  From the first motion-capture session to the visual effects at Rhythm & Hues, viewers go behind the scenes with actor Tim Roth and watch as he transforms both his mind and body into the super villain known as The Abomination.
• Anatomy of a Hulk Out:  Behind-the-scenes looks at three of the movie’s most exciting action sequences:
• Hulking Out in the Bottling Plant – Go inside the first action sequence of the film where both viewers and the army are given a glimpse of the Hulk to come.
• Hulking Out on Campus – A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a Hulk action sequence, featuring airplanes, guns, and even a sound machine.
• Hulking Out in Harlem – From pre-visualization animatics to visual effects, this featurette shows how filmmakers created one of the largest action sequences in Marvel film history.
• From Comic Book to Screen:  See the incredible comic books come to life courtesy of narration, sound effects and “living” panels of action.
• Feature Commentary With Director Louis Leterrier And Cast
• Digital Copy of THE INCREDIBLE HULK:  Compatible with PC, Mac or iPod.      
•  Deleted Scenes

BONUS FEATURES – EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY HI-DEF:

•·   U Control:  Universal’s exclusive signature feature, U Control puts viewers one click away from going deeper into the making of the film without ever interrupting the movie, through animated comic book panels, storyboards, early renderings of the visual effects, interactive cast and crew interviews and exclusive information about the characters, back story, and THE INCREDIBLE HULK physics.

-          Thunderbolt Files – Explore the top-secret files of the forces hunting The Hulk with this interactive feature that takes you deeper into the movie – without ever leaving the film.

-          Scene Explorer – Discover the secrets behind the special effects!  Explore all the individual layers that go into an effects-intensive scene with this unique Blu-ray feature.

-          Comic Book Gallery – Enjoy a Hi-Def experience of the classic comic book images that inspired key shots in the movie.

•    BD-LIVE FEATURES – Blu-ray and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:

- My Chat – Just plug your player into your Internet connection and connect to BD-Live to chat with friends while watching the movie and conduct your very own private screening discussions.

- My Scenes Sharing – Share your favorite clips with your buddies through the BD Live Internet connection