Shout Factory is returning to the well for another release of PIRANHA, this time on 4k in steelbook packaging, and including the previously available special features from my Reverend Entertainment. Street date is March 3rd, and PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN NOW. This project was a special one for me, the producition of which occured just after the passing of Dick Miller, who I had on board for audio commentary with Roger Corman. You can read the whole story HERE, but as a recap: it was a heartbreaking situation for me, as I had become close with Dick and his wife Lainie in the years leading up to when the session was to occur on February 1, 2019. Lainie and I had been talking and texting throughout Dick’s health scare and eventual hospital stay, through to his passing there on January 30th. I spoke with Roger about whether or not we should proceed with the commentary, and we agreed we should. I had the studio keep three mics and headphones set up as a way to kind of keep the spirit of Dick with us. Lainie surprised us by showing up just before we hit record, and she and her granddaughter stayed to listen to it all unfold.
With me that day was friend and filmmaker Anthony C. Ferrante (SHARKNADO), who took some pics and video during the session. For that I am eternally grateful, as I have so little of this kind of keepsake material from over the years. I want to share a snippet Anthony shot from when Roger and I first started talking about Dick. The whole track was sprinkled with stories from the years Dick and Roger had together. You can see that below.
WITH ROGER CORMAN AND LAINIE MILLER ON THE DAY OF THE COMMENTARY RECORDING
Below are details on the new Shout 4k steelbook and what all is involved. In addition to the commentary discussed above, I returned to the PIRANHAverse in 2022 when Shout did their first steelbook release (on Blu) for a new interview with Joe Dante that was a real treat. Joe has been generous with his time since I first started writing for the magazines many years ago, and this visit to his home was no different.
DESCRIPTION
A secret military project accidentally unleashes genetically engineered, flesh-eating piranhas into a river system, leading them to a popular summer resort and camp, forcing investigator Maggie McKeown and guide Paul Grogan to race against time to stop the ravenous fish before they slaughter the vacationers. Created by a rogue scientist for the Vietnam War, these piranhas are smarter and tougher than normal, requiring extreme measures to contain them as they head for their next meal at Lost River Lake.
SPECIAL FEATURES AND DETAILS
– 2022 Restoration of the 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative
– Presented in Dolby Vision
– Audio Commentary with Executive Producer Roger Corman
– Audio Commentary with Director Joe Dante and Producer Jon Davison
– 2022 Interview with Director Joe Dante
– Audio Commentary with Roger Corman
– Audio Commentary with Joe Dante and Jon Davison
– The Making Of Piranha: Interviews with Roger Corman, Joe Dante and Actors Dick Miller, and Belinda Balaski
– Behind-the-Scenes Footage
– Bloopers and Outtakes
– Still Galleries
– Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery Featuring Photos from Creature Designer/Animator – Phil Tippett’s Archives
– Additional Scenes from the TV Version
– Theatrical Trailers
– TV Spot
– Radio Spots
I love PIRANHA, am honored to have been part of these releases, and am happy Shout keeps this thing (ahem) swimming. You can pre-order the new 4k steelbook HERE.
