Merrick here... On November 16, a new issuance of AVATAR will arrive on Blu-Ray (and DVD) with tons of extras, and a new cut of the film that's even longer than the expanded version recently re-released to theaters. That expanded theatrical re-release edit will be included here as well. The newest (longest) version of the picture will contain the film's famously omitted "Earth" opening, in which we get a brief look at Jake Sully's life before we went into space. You can glimpse a moment of this footage in the trailer embedded below. I'm really, really interested in seeing what Earth looks like in Cameron's AVATARverse, although my preference would be not to know...as not knowing what Earth looks like gives rise to a certain sense of curiosity, mystique, and wonder that I'd hate to see the film loose. Still, I'll look at it...because I'm a hopeless Geek...and I won't be able to help myself. There's now a trailer for this newer, expandeder edit of the movie making the rounds - it shows us material we haven't seen yet. Different embeds of the (same) trailer are appearing all over the place...we swiped one we found at HitFix.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment sent along the following press release regarding the sets, detailing what we can expect to find in November. I'd heard that some test footage from BROTHER TERMITE (an abandoned Cameron project) would be included in these new Blus - I'm guessing that'll be buried amidst the extras listed below.

EXTENDED COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Announces Avatar Blu-ray and DVD Global Release Dates Three-Disc Set of the Worldwide Theatrical and Home Entertainment Phenomenon Contains Even More of the AVATAR Experience with Over Eight Hours of Never-Before-Seen Material and In-Depth Exploration into the World of Pandora! Director James Cameron is unlocking the secrets of Pandora and taking fans on a guided tour of his vision with the highly anticipated release of AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray and DVD releasing November 16th in North America and rolling out internationally from November 15th. These exclusive Extended Collector’s Editions come with iconic, collectible packaging to get fans to experience Pandora like never before. With three versions of the film, AVATAR fans will get an all-new extended cut of the film and hours of never-before seen material including over 45 minutes of amazing deleted scenes! "I told our team --- let's do the ultimate box set of Avatar, with everything in it the fans could possibly want. There's an extended length cut that's sixteen minutes longer, plus documentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, artwork and over 45 minutes of deleted scenes. Everything worth putting into a special edition is in this set," said James Cameron. The three-disc AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and Theatrical Special Edition Re-Release DVD will both feature the original theatrical release, a special edition re-release, family audio track with all objectionable language removed and new collector’s extended cut with sixteen more minutes including an exclusive alternate opening Earth scene. Viewers will journey to the depths of Pandora with filmmakers during “Capturing Avatar“ an in-depth feature length documentary covering the 16 year filmmaker journey including all new interviews with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew exploring James Cameron’s unique vision for the film seen by more than 310 million people worldwide. The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time. The AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will also have even more bonus material and interactive viewing. Through the unparalleled, interactive technology of Blu-ray, fans can dive further into the world of the Na’vi and experience the #1 international sensation from behind the scenes, with a “master class” on the production of the film. Leveraging the interactivity of Blu-ray, viewers can experience the full film in three stages of production: Performance Capture, Template (1990’s video game version) and Final as well as a composite of all stages in “Pandora’s Box”. This will be supported with interviews by Jim Cameron and the filmmakers and serve as a “master class” on the making of AVATAR. AVATAR Extended Collection’s Edition: 3-Disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Catalog #: 2271369 (available for the suggested retail price of $54.99 U.S. / $66.99 Canada.)
Disc One · Original Theatrical Version · Special Edition Re-Release · Collector’s Extended Cut o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening Family Audio Track (All Objectionable Language Removed) · Original Theatrical Release · Special Edition Re-release
Disc Two · “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew · Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes · Production Materials
Disc Three · Open “Pandora’s Box” and go deeper into the filmmaker process · Interactive Scene Deconstruction: Explore the various stages of production through 3 different viewing modes · Production Shorts: 17 featurettes covering performance capture, scoring the film, 3D fusion camera, stunts and much more · Avatar Archives including original scriptment, 300 page screenplay and the extensive Pandorapedia · BD-live Portal with additional bonus materials

AVATAR Collector’s Edition: 3-Disc Special Edition DVD: Catalog #: 2271367 (available for the suggested retail price of $34.98 U.S./$45.98 Canada)
Disc One · Original Theatrical Version · Special Edition Re-release · Collector’s Extended Cut o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening
Disc Two · Original Theatrical Version · Special Edition Re-release · Collector’s Extended Cut
Disc Three · “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew · Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition will be available on Blu-ray Disc and DVD everywhere in the United States and Canada on November 16th. International release dates and product information may vary by market. Please contact your local Twentieth Century Fox office to confirm country specific information.
Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt
Enter the ULTIMATE AVATAR SWEEPSTAKES at www.AvatarSweeps.com for a chance to win $50,000 and daily limited edition instant-win prizes!

As you can see, these new Blu-Ray/DVD sets are radically enhanced over the bare-bones release that happened back in April. Way more bang for your buck here - these are the real deal. These extras alone oughta be quite educational and facinating, regardless of your feelings towards the movie itself. Both iterations of this new set are already up for pre-order. The Blu-Ray version can be found HERE, and the DVD can be had HERE.
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