BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This year's must-own movie, the critically-acclaimed blockbuster The Dark Knight, hits the street on December 9th as Warner Bros.' first home entertainment release to include Internet-enabled interactive features exclusive to the Blu-ray format. The Dark Knight Blu-ray takes advantage of next-generation technology through BD-Live, which is accessible through internet-connected Blu-ray players (including PlayStation® 3).

Warner Bros. BD-Live allows users to experience a variety of exclusive interactive features. The Dark Knight Blu-ray owners can host their own Live Community Screenings with friends, record and post user-generated commentaries over the film using My WB Commentary, access more The Dark Knight content exclusive to Warner Bros. BD-Live, get sneak peeks and trailers of upcoming Warner Bros. films, create an online library of Blu-ray movies, manage a wish list for upcoming releases and connect to the WB store.

Users will be able to host their own Live Community Screening with their buddy list or the entire Warner Bros. BD-Live community. Fans and friends across the country can send invitations for screenings at a specified time and chat with each other as the movie plays.

The "My WB Commentary" feature of BD-Live will allow fans to post user-generated Picture-in-Picture commentary right over the film then share it with friends or the entire Warner Bros. BD-Live Community. Using a web-camera, users can record their own comments and play them back as a Picture-in-Picture feature over the film scene they have chosen. Users can then post the commentary on BD-Live, share it with whom they select and receive a rating on their videos.

More Warner Bros. BD-Live initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks, including the opportunity for fans to interact with director Christopher Nolan during a special Live Community Screening.

BD-Live is only accessible through a Blu-ray Disc™ played on an Internet-connected or Blu-ray player (including PlayStation®3) with BD-Live capabilities and sufficient data storage.

"Blu-ray's BD-Live technology offers consumers the ability to integrate social networking and user- generated content with the best possible picture and sound of movies at home," said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. "We are committed to helping this new technology grow and helping to connect people who love movies."

Warner Bros. BD-Live will have exciting new content both specific to The Dark Knight and other WB films exclusive only to BD-Live registered users. Content includes, but is not limited to, two motion comics, one created as a bridge between the story of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and one created about The Joker, and an exclusive look a the premiere of The Dark Knight in New York City.

BACKGROUND

The Dark Knight comes from Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Christopher Nolan (The Prestige, Memento), and features commanding performances from Christian Bale (3:10 to Yuma, The Prestige), Academy Award® Winner Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules, Children of Men), Academy Award® Nominee Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain), Gary Oldman (Hannibal, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Aaron Eckhart (Thank You For Smoking, No Reservations), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Stranger Than Fiction, World Trade Center) and Academy Award® Winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, Wanted).

SYNOPSIS

The follow-up to Batman Begins, 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 Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves effective, but soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces Batman closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. Heath Ledger stars as archvillain The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart plays Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the cast as Rachel Dawes. Returning from Batman Begins are Gary Oldman as Gordon, Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.