In spite of that high-powered anti-VOD campaign by James Cameron, Guillermo del Toro and some of Hollywood's top filmmakers, it appears Lionsgate is moving forward with a plan to offer its movies to home viewers via early release video on demand. As reported late Tuesday, the studio may release John Singleton's action thriller Abduction, starring Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins, on VOD before it hits DVD and Blu-ray in 2012. Click ahead to find out when you can see Lautner slide across broken glass and throw vehicular caution to the wind from the comfort of your own home.
According to Bloomberg News, Abduction will be available on television a mere three months after its theatrical release for as little as $6.99 (which is much more reasonable than the original suggested price point of $30 for DirecTV's Home Premiere service). That means that shortly before the film's January home video release, Twi-hards will be able to rent the movie through their cable VOD provider for ten days, beginning Dec. 23. If it happens, this will be Lionsgate's first experiment with VOD, which drew complaints from theater owners and filmmakers who figure that the early home release will cut into their own profit. Studios brainstormed this video distribution strategy as a means to make up for declining DVD sales and rentals. Lionsgate declined to comment on its Abduction VOD plans to Bloomberg.
Look for Abduction in theaters on Sept. 23.
ยท Lionsgate Said to Plan Early Pay TV Rentals of Lautner 'Abduction' Film [Bloomberg via THR]