Despite a silly title, Cowboys & Aliens had the potential to be one of the summer's big hits. It had Jon Favreau in the director's chair, fresh off helping make an unlikely hit franchise out of Marvel's Iron Man. Its catalogue of screenwriters included the golden-boy pairing of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, as well as former Lost honcho Damon Lindelof. Its cast united badasses of two generations in Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. It had both cowboys and aliens. Hell, it even threw in the unfair hotness of Olivia Wilde just to run up the score.

The end result, however, didn't quite live up to that potential. Sure, with a worldwide gross of around $200 million, the movie definitely did okay, but when the reported budget is $163 million that's not the victory it could be. Of course, box office doesn't always equate quality, and when it comes to Cowboys & Aliens I've heard every opinion from "awesome" to "awful" and back again. If you're like me and missed it in theaters, you'll get the chance to judge for yourself when Cowboys & Aliens hits Blu-ray, DVD, download, and On Demand this December 6th, courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Universal hasn't scrimped on the bonus features, so anybody hoping to dive behind the scenes will get a commentary with director Favreau and tons more:

Bonus Features

• IGNITING THE SKY: THE MAKING OF COWBOYS & ALIENS -- A comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the production that invites viewers on set to meet the filmmakers and cast as they create this one-of-a-kind action film. In revealing conversations, Jon Favreau, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, as well as stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde, share their insights about the movie. Also featured are visual-effects powerhouses Legacy Effects and ILM, which join forces once again to push the technological envelope beyond anything ever seen before on screen. It includes:
  • FINDING THE STORY -- Cowboys & Aliens, based on the graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, has been in development for over a decade. Filmmakers, writers and cast explain why this particular team of Hollywood heavyweights hit the right note to bring this to the big screen.
  • THE SCOPE OF THE SPECTACLE -- A look at the team behind the camera for the film’s massive New Mexico shoot, as the stars ride horses, shoot guns, jump from explosions, and get yanked 80 feet in the air! Director Jon Favreau stages unforgettable action set-pieces as cameras capture every moment, while legendary stuntman and Cowboys & Aliens’ second unit director Terry Leonard brings a lifetime of experience to the big-screen stunts, from legendary moments in John Wayne classics to doubling for Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
  • OUTER-SPACE ICON -- Take a closer look at the creation of a new, terrifying alien design from Legacy Effects and Industrial Light and Magic.
  
  Blu-ray Exclusive Segments
  • A CALL TO ACTION -- A profile of prolific actor, writer and director Jon Favreau featuring on-set video diaries shot throughout the production.
  • ABSOLUTION -- A look at the practical re-creation of a dusty Old West mining town, the town’s inhabitants and the amazing ensemble of actors who portray them, as well as an exclusive look at the film’s meticulous production and costume designs.
  • CONVERSATIONS WITH JON FAVREAU -- Jon Favreau hosts candid interviews with cast and crew, including:
    • Daniel Craig
    • Harrison Ford
    • Olivia Wilde
    • Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer
    • Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci
    • Damon Lindelof
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JON FAVREAU

The Blu-ray edition of Cowboys & Aliens will also include BD-specific features such as U-Control, BD-Live, and Universal's "Second Screen" feature. You can check out cover art and a DVD trailer below.