“The Last Samurai” is slated for release May 4 as a two-DVD set that includes an audio commentary and video journal by director Edward Zwick, a featurette on Tom, a History Channel documentary, a making-of featurette, deleted scenes and several other production and design featurettes. Warner Home Video will release it with a rental price for VHS and a lower sell-through price of $29.95 for DVD, like they did with “The Matrix Revolutions” before. Stories by Yahoo and Variety.

The Hollywood reporter reports that Tom has agreed to be honorary chair of the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards, scheduled for Feb. 28 in Santa Monica. More details you find on the story by zap2it; the exec producer said they are very pleased to “honour Tom and his ongoing commitment to independent film”.