Trimark Home Entertainment is putting the finishing touches on the modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello. Set in the world of high school basketball, O brings the story to many people for the first time.

O is Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), the school’s star basketball player and future NBA hopeful. Even though he’s the only black student at the elite Palmetto Grove Academy, he has the adoration of all, including the team’s coach (Martin Sheen) and the Dean’s beautiful daughter, Desi (Julia Stiles). Odin’s troubled friend Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach’s son, is deeply resentful of his father’s preference of Odin on and off the court. When Hugo plots a diabolical scheme to sow the seed of mistrust between O and Desi, it sets in motion a disturbing chain of events which erupts into a firestorm of breathtaking intensity.

The new two disc DVD set will offer the choice of anamorphic widescreen or pan and scan and will feature a soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1. Disc One will feature an audio commentary running with the film featuring director Tim Blake Nelson, star Julia Stiles and cinematographer Russell Lee Fine. Also on the disc are deleted footage and a theatrical trailer. Disc Two features one of the most interesting features to date, one of the original film adaptations of the play. The film is presented in its entirety with a new score and commentary.

Coming on February 19th, “O” will carry a $24.99 retail price.