Batman Begins is finally coming to Blu-Ray Hi-Def DVD, and it is bringing along a load of exclusive The Dark Knight extras, including a prologue, just in time for it's theatrical release. Here is the press release from Warner Brothers:

Batman Begins Blu-Ray
Batman Begins Blu-Ray

Burbank, Calif., March 17, 2008 - Batman Begins catapults into the high definition age on July 8th with the Blu-ray&#8482 Hi-Definition release from Warner Home Video. Batman Begins has already been well received in high definition as the HD DVD release is the top catalog HD seller.

Three new DVD editions -- two on Blu-ray Hi-Definition and one in Standard Definition -- will be released prior to the July 18th nationwide theatrical release of Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight.

Leading the Blu-ray Hi-Def pack is the Batman Begins Limited Edition Gift Set ($49.99 SRP). The single disc Blu-ray Hi-Def Gift Set also includes The Dark Knight Prologue (the first six minutes of the film), a Batman Begins motion art lenticular, a 32-page booklet including an all-new DC Comics comic book adaptation of The Dark Knight prologue, exclusive photos, script pages and story boards. This Gift Set will also include five Batman Begins collectible postcards with never-before printed key art from the theatrical release, as well as $7.50 "movie cash" towards the purchase of an adult ticket to see The Dark Knight in theatres.

A single disc Blu-ray Hi-Def version ($28.99 SRP) of Batman Begins will also be available. This also features The Dark Knight prologue.

Batman Begins Limited Edition Gift Set will also be available in a 2-Disc Standard Definition ($39.92 SRP) version. This Gift Set will include a 128MB Batman branded flash drive, five Batman Begins collectible postcards with never-before printed key art from the theatrical release, as well as $7.50 "movie cash" towards the purchase of an adult ticket to see The Dark Knight in theatres.

When director Christopher Nolan set out to re-imagine the Batman franchise with the origin story in 2005, Batman Begins enjoyed phenomenal critical and box office success with a worldwide gross of $372MM.

About Batman Begins:

Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

About The Dark Knight:

The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in his continuing war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker (Heath Ledger), who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. The Dark Knight releases in theaters July 18, 2008.

About DC Comics

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' web site is located at www.dccomics.com.