IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures
announced that they have crossed the $400 million mark at the IMAX box
office with films released through the partnership between the two companies.
Since June 2003, Warner Bros. Pictures has released 16 titles in IMAX’s
format, five of which were in IMAX(R) 3D, including two live action pictures
that were partially converted into 3D with IMAX’s proprietary 2D to 3D
conversion technology. All titles were digitally re-mastered into the image
and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) using IMAX’s proprietary IMAX
DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technology. Also included in the tally are the
studio’s two original IMAX 3D co-productions.
“Our successful partnership with IMAX has helped to shape an entirely new
distribution window and a completely new form of premium cinematic
entertainment,” said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at
Warner Bros. Pictures. “The IMAX(R) theatre network has enabled us to generate
incremental box office returns, and we are very enthusiastic about our
upcoming film slate, which will include both original IMAX 3D programming and
our tent-pole releases.”
“The IMAX release adds a layer of excitement to major titles, and with
more audiences looking for something special at the movies, we anticipate
continued strong box office returns from these theatres internationally,” said
Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros.
Pictures.
“Warner Bros. Pictures’ dedication to the IMAX film business, their
talent for making great films and their enthusiastic endorsement of IMAX DMR
and original programming has enabled our partnership to reach this impressive
milestone,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley
J. Wechsler. “With our digital projection system on the verge of rapidly
expanding the IMAX network worldwide, we are confident that we’ll reach many
more milestones with Warner Bros. Pictures.”
The studio’s Hollywood IMAX releases that contributed to the $400 million
milestone and helped shape the IMAX network as a new distribution platform
include The Matrix Revolutions, The Matrix Reloaded, Harry Potter and the
Prisoner of Azkaban, The Polar Express (in IMAX 3D), Batman Begins, Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, V for
Vendetta, Poseidon, Superman Returns (in IMAX 3D), The Ant Bully (in IMAX 3D),
Happy Feet, 300, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (in IMAX 3D),
Beowulf (international) and I Am Legend.
The original IMAX 3D films co-produced and released with Warner Bros.
Pictures include NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience (2003), which has grossed
nearly $24 million at the IMAX box office, and Deep Sea 3D (2006), which has
grossed an impressive $64 million at the IMAX box office on a limited number
of screens, and it is still playing well throughout the IMAX network.
“Warner Bros. Pictures has been instrumental in bringing The IMAX
Experience into mainstream,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX
Filmed Entertainment. “They were the first studio to release a feature film in
IMAX 3D, the first studio to release a live action film that had been
converted into 3D, and they introduced the world to a whole new brand of
original IMAX 3D programming that is both educational and entertaining. We
look forward to continued success with them and their incredible filmmakers as
we collaborate in the release of a broad range of pictures over the next few
years.”
The 2008, 2009 and 2010 lineup for Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX
currently include Speed Racer (May 9), The Dark Night (July 18), Harry Potter
and the Half Blood Prince (November 21), Under the Sea 3D (February 2009) and
Hubble 3D (February 2010).
