2008 Movie News Archives

Superman: The Music

March 11, 2008: Q&A with “Superman: The Music” Co-Producer Mike Matessino

By Barry Freiman

I spoke with "Superman: The Music (1978-1988)" co-producer Mike Matessino briefly tonight to get an update on how the Blue Box has sold so far and any plans for more sets to be produced beyond the initial 3,000 run.

Q: Another website reported over the weekend that only 600 of the initial first run of 3,000 Blue Boxes were still available (as of two days ago anyway) -- First, are you surprised by how quickly the set has sold?

A: As far as I know the number is down to about 400 now, and yes it's surprising when a box set sells this number when most straight single CDs struggle to get to 1500. But we have done quite a bit of publicity! I feel comfortable not calling it 'hype' since I don't think anyone has exaggerated just how satisfying the set is to the fans. (To put it in perspective however, the Star Wars Trilogy Releases each sold over 50,000 units per title in 1997, with Star Wars going gold at over 125,000. Granted they were tied to the theatrical reissues, but it illustrates how the soundtrack market has changed in a decade.)

Q: Have any decisions been made yet whether you'll be doing a second run of the set after the final 400 sets have been sold? If so, will it be identical to the first run -- the book, the packaging, the music?

A: There WILL be a second run on Superman but probably not available for a few months, and at the moment it's uncertain whether the format will be precisely the same. Those decisions are still being discussed but even if the contents are identical there will be some indication on the packaging that this is "second edition" or something to that effect.

Q: And for those who've bought the 2,600 sets sold so far, I assume that any second run won't include anything new not on the first run sets?

A: There definitely won't be anything to add to a second run. Anyone who buys from the remaining stock is safe knowing they won't be tempted to double-dip.

UPDATE: It's now been determined that the second edition will be exactly the same as the first with the exception of some indication in the book that it is a second edition or printing. Good news is that it's moving forward and there should be no disruption of availability.

There have also been some problems with some of the books, and as part of manufacturing the second run, some additional books are being made to offer replacements to anyone who has one of the defective ones. The books in the second edition will be exactly the same as the first in terms of manufacturing.

Lukas Kendall has addressed the issues at length at the Screen Archives Entertainment blog.



2008 Movie News

Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2008 organized into various categories:

“Superman Returns” & Sequel/Reboot Movie News:

“Justice League of America” Movie News: Christopher Reeve Movie News: Direct-to-DVD Animated Movie News: Other Movie News:

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