While Arrow Video and Kino Lorber are coming through with remastering a wide array of genre films from the past, sometimes, we movie fans also get some releases from the studios themselves. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has their own home video series called the Vestron Collector’s Series and Blu-ray.com has just passed along the announcement for a 4K Blu-ray release for 1996’s The Substitute. The Tom Berenger, Ernie Hudson and Marc Anthony film will celebrate its 30th anniversary with this release. The “teacher savior” movie with an action twist is due to hit the market on March 17. The set will include both a 4K and a normal Blu-ray version.
The description reads,
“In this action-thriller favorite, now on 4K for the first time, a mercenary faces off against one of his most formidable enemies: a high school gang. Shale (Tom Berenger) is an ex-Vietnam vet reeling from a botched covert operation. Returning home, he reunites with his girlfriend, Jane (Diane Venora), a high school teacher who’s hospitalized after a beating by the Kings of Destruction gang. Hunting Jane’s attackers, Shale goes undercover as a substitute teacher, and uncovers a cocaine highway running through the school involving gang leader Lacas (Marc Anthony) and the school’s shady principal, Rolle (Ernie Hudson). Summoning his mercenaries, Shale goes to war with the Kings of Destruction – and rival guns for hire – on the unusual battleground of a high school, but for the usual stakes: life…and death.”
Special Features:
- TWO-DISC (4K BLU-RAY/BLU-RAY) COMBO PACK RELEASE
- NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- DOLBY ATMOS AUDIO TRACK
- NEW Power Achieved Is Power Perceived: Director Robert Mandel on The Substitute
- NEW Color Grade Is in Session
- Bullet Points: Storyboard-to-Film Exploration
- Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles for the main feature
Technical Specs:
- Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1 - Audio
TBA - Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish - Discs
4K Ultra HD
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50) - Digital
Digital copy included - Packaging
Slipcover in original pressing
Reversible cover - Playback
4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region A (B, C untested)
The Substitute was one of the last big starring roles for Berenger, who was known for films like Major League, Chasers and Sniper. The film saw moderate success at the box office as it opened at number 2 on its premiere weekend. The movie would gross over $14 million in its total run. Although it wasn’t a big hit, the movie did spawn a bit of a franchise with The Substitute 2: School’s Out, The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All and The Substitute: Failure is Not an Option getting straight-to-video releases. Tom Berenger would not return for any of the films, but the late Treat Williams would take over as the franchise lead.
