THE DEAD ZONE Coming To 4K With A KINGCAST Commentary Track

David Cronenberg's classic is getting an all-new commentary track featuring FANGORIA's resident Stephen King podcast and director Mike Flanagan.

By FANGORIA Staff · November 2, 2023, 3:05 PM EDT
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Today brings us another exciting announcement from the good folks at Shout Factory, who just announced a brand-new 4K UHD edition of David Cronenberg's The Dead Zone (1983)!

One of the all-time great Stephen King adaptations, The Dead Zone stars Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith, who finds himself able to see into the future following a terrible car accident that leaves him in a coma. Shortly after recognizing his newfound talents, Smith encounters an up-and-coming politician whose continued success in the polls may well lead to nuclear annihilation. It's Cronenberg doing King doing the age old "Wouldja kill baby Hitler?" bit, and it plays like gangbusters.

Included in this new set: an 18x24" rolled poster featuring the film's original poster art (when you order through Shout Factory directly), an all-new transfer from the original camera negative, and a handful of commentary tracks - one of which is brand-new and features filmmaker Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, Gerald's Game) alongside Eric Vespe and Scott Wampler, hosts of FANGORIA's THE KINGCAST.

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Here's a full listing of the included special features:

DISC ONE (4K UHD):

  • NEW 2023 Transfer From The Original Camera Negative
  • In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible)
  • Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Filmmaker Mike Flanagan And Eric Vespe And Scott Wampler Of THE KINGCAST
  • Audio Commentary With Director Of Photography Mark Irwin
  • Audio Commentary With Film Historian Michael Gingold
  • Audio Commentary with Film Historian/Author Dr. Steve Haberman And Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr
  • Audio Commentary With Film Music Historian Daniel Schweiger With Isolated Score Selections

DISC TWO (BLU-RAY):

  • NEW 2023 Transfer From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Filmmaker Mike Flanagan And Eric Vespe And Scott Wampler Of THE KINGCAST
  • Audio Commentary With Director Of Photography Mark Irwin
  • Audio Commentary With Film Historian Michael Gingold
  • Audio Commentary with Film Historian/Author Dr. Steve Haberman And Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr
  • Audio Commentary With Film Music Historian Daniel Schweiger With Isolated Score Selections
  • “Sarah's Story” – An Interview With Actress Brooke Adams
  • “Cold Visions: Producing The Dead Zone” – Featuring Interviews With Production Manager John M. Eckert And Associate Producer Jeffrey Chernov
  • Trailers From Hell - Mick Garris On The Dead Zone
  • “Memories From The Dead Zone
  • “The Look Of The Dead Zone
  • “Visions Of The Dead Zone
  • “The Politics Of The Dead Zone
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV Spots
  • Behind-The-Scenes Still Gallery

How's that for a stacked deck?

Shout Factory will release the 4K UHD edition of David Cronenberg's The Dead Zone on December 19th, but you can pre-order your copy right now via the Shout Factory website (and you should, especially if you want that poster)! Stay tuned for further updates on future Shout Factory releases as they become available, folks!