Universal City, U.S.A. — Universal Pictures announced that the studio has reached the $1 billion mark at the domestic box office, three months earlier than at any time in history.  The previous record was set during the weekend of November 7, 2008 with films that included ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘The Incredible Hulk’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’. This will be the seventh time Universal has reached this milestone.  With five films yet to be released in 2012, the studio is on track to have its highest-grossing year ever at the domestic box office, a record also set in 2008.

Universal’s 2012 success at the North American box office has been fueled by a strong slate of films including five that became No. 1 (‘Contraband’, ‘Safe House’, ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ and ‘Ted’), two that grossed more than $200 million (‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ at $214 million and ‘Ted’ at $203.6 million*) and two that grossed more than $100 million (‘Safe House’ at $126.4 million and ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ at $153.8 million*).  Universal is one of only two studios so far this year to have two films that have grossed more than $200 million domestically.  Currently, Universal has four of the 15 top grossing films of the year, more than any other studio.

Other Facts:

Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ was the highest opening for an animated film in 2012 ($70.2 million) and the highest-opening film for Universal this year.

As the breakout comedy hit of the summer, ‘Ted’ set a new record for the highest opening for an original R-rated comedy in history ($54.4 million) and is well on its way to becoming one of the all-time highest-grossing R-rated comedies ever.

The studio’s February hit ‘Safe House’ was Denzel Washington’s second biggest opening of his career and his second highest-grossing film ever.

Universal Pictures International passed $1 billion at the overseas box office on July 17, also setting a new studio record.

This week, Universal will release the next chapter in the studio’s hugely popular espionage franchise, ‘The Bourne Legacy’. In October comes the new out-loud comedy ‘Pitch Perfect’ and the action-thriller ‘The Man With the Iron Fists’ arrives in November. Universal will close out 2012 with two films in December: ‘Les Miserables,’ the motion-picture adaptation of the global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the world, and ‘This Is 40,’ the latest comedy from writer/director Judd Apatow.

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Universal City, U.S.A. – The colorful and captivating world of Dr. Seuss bursts onto the screen as never before on August 7, 2012 in the hilarious and captivating adventure, ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack — both featuring DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet so you can watch it anytime, anywhere — ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ is non-stop family fun that includes three delightfully entertaining mini movies not shown in theaters, available only on the Blu-ray Combo Packs. The film will also be available on DVD and Digital Download.

The imaginative world of Dr. Seuss comes to life like never before in this visually spectacular adventure from the creators of ‘Despicable Me’. Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White, ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ is filled with hilarious fun for everyone.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (‘Despicable Me’, ‘Hop’). For more information, please visit www.theloraxmovie.com.

‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ transports viewers into a fantastical landscape imagined by Dr. Seuss and vividly brought to life by Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team at Illumination Entertainment. Directed by Chris Renaud from a screenplay adapted by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (‘Despicable Me’, ‘HOP’, ‘Horton Hears a Who’) from the 1971 children’s classic, the film is an imaginative journey that begins in the town of Thneedville, where a boy searches for the one thing he knows will win the heart of his dream girl. But in order find it, he must discover the story of the Lorax, the often grumpy but loveable protector of Truffula Valley, in an exciting adventure filled with comedy and heart that USA Today’s Claudia Puig calls, “The right blend of funny, silly, and sweet.”

Danny DeVito (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” ‘Twins’, ‘L.A. Confidential’) lends his unmistakable voice to the Lorax, the remarkable creature who “speaks for the trees,” with Ed Helms (‘The Hangover’, ‘The Hangover Part II’, “The Office”) as his enigmatic nemesis, the Once-ler.

One of the best-selling children’s book authors of all time, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel created more than 40 cherished books that have been published in 95 countries and 17 different languages, selling more than half a billion books worldwide. The Lorax, which Geisel named his favorite work, is included on the “Educator’s All Time Top 20 List of Children’s Books.”

Blu-ray Combo Pack bonus features:

• Mini Movies
  • Serenade — Two Bar-ba-loots — one love shy and the other suave and confident — battle for the heart of their would-be sweetheart with the help of a colorful cast of characters, including the Humming-Fish and Swomme-Swans.
  • Wagon-Ho — Two Bar-ba-loots take The Once-ler’s wagon on a ride they won’t soon forget.
  • Forces of Nature — Determined to scare The Once-ler out of Truffula Valley, The Lorax decides to create the illusion of ominous forces of nature.

• Making of the mini movies — Go behind the scenes at Illumination Mac Guff to see the joys and challenges of continuing the characters’ stories in the dynamic format of the mini movie.
• Deleted scenes
• Seuss to screen — A fascinating look into the translation of Seuss’ iconic style from book into the big feature film canvas.
• Seuss it up! — A great tutorial on how to draw the Lorax, a Humming-Fish and a Bar-ba-loot in the unique Seuss style.
• Trufulla run — The player moves left and right to avoid obstacles while attempting to pick up berries with modes for easy, medium and hard. As difficulty increases, the player will have more obstacles to avoid.
• “Let it Grow” Sing Along — Karaoke-style sing along to the end credit version of Let It Grow.
• Feature commentary with co-directoris Chris Renaud & Kyle Balda
• Once-Ler’s wagon — While the Once-ler is away peddling his wares, the curious forest creatures have fun with his belongings. Users can select an item for the creatures to mimic or play with and then watch the adorable antics of all the forest friends.

Image Courtesy of  The Lorax

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