BENTONVILLE, Ark. — This month Wal-Mart Stores will produce another exclusive entertainment movie tie-in to drive traffic into its stores with the March 21 DVD release of “Twilight” from Summit Entertainment.
“Twilight” is based on the best-selling book series by Stephanie Meyer, an action-love story about a teenage girl who meets a vampire.
Since the movie was released on Nov. 21, 2008, it has grossed $190.6 million in U.S. box office sales, according to Variety.
As it did with Hannah Montana's concert movie last year, Wal-Mart will reserve space for in-store “Twilight” shops that will sell T-shirts, tote bags, jewelry and related “Twilight” merchandise. Wal-Mart's 24-hour stores will host a midnight event on March 20 prior to the DVD release with “Twilight” gift giveaways to the first 50 customers in line to purchase the DVD movie.
Pre-orders of the DVD, retailing for $17, are said to be at record levels, according to a company spokesman.
Last week the retailer, in partnership with BlogTalkRadio, hosted actor Taylor Lautner, who plays the character Jacob Black in “Twilight,” on the Stardish Radio program. Lautner fielded questions from fans “logged in” to BlogTalkRadio.
Wal-Mart began promoting the DVD release through a special micro site: www.walmart.com/twilight, which provides details of events, behind-the-scenes movie footage, and a way to engage friends with a create-your-own electronic invitation (“eBite”) on the site.