By April MacIntyre Nov 20, 2008, 19:16 GMT
IMAX Corp. is set to have a banner 2009 and beyond.
Director Robert Zemeckis - working with IMAX © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
The 3D production company, distributor and exhibitor has partnered with key studio players, including Disney which will net five of their movies released in the IMAX format, starting with the classic Robert Zemeckis' helmed "A Christmas Carol" in 2009.
Actor Jim Carrey will star in this feature film 3D format. Carrey was also announced as the narrator for IMAX's upcoming "Under the Sea 3D" to be released February 13, 2009.
The studios are collaborating with IMAX to take advantage of the new IMAX digital projection system, which is being installed throughout all 320 IMAX locations worldwide.
IMAX has announced their upcoming slate of films to bring a new level of theater to audiences everywhere.
Greg Foster, Chairman and President of Filmed Entertainment, oversees all aspects of the company's global filmed entertainment activities, including creative, production, film distribution, business affairs, marketing, sponsorship, studio relationships and the revolutionary IMAX DMR® process. He has brought many feature film franchises to IMAX's unique format for distribution.
Mr. Foster spoke to Monsters and Critics about IMAX's process and upcoming film releases.
What product does IMAX have coming through 2010 that is documentary and what is major feature?
Foster: Building off of our success with 'The Dark Knight' and this past weekend’s release of 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' in IMAX theatres, we’re very excited about the films we have confirmed for 2009 and 2010.
All are Hollywood feature films with the exception of Under the Sea 3D (Feb. 13th, 2009) and Hubble 3D (Spring 2010) which are original IMAX documentaries in conjunction with our partners at Warner Bros.
What background on distribution deals has IMAX been doing, and what will the distribution model be in the future?
Foster: We’re currently expanding our network – we just launched 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' with 35 new digital theatres that have just come on line in the last 3 months; and have dozens more timed to each of our future releases.
We’re also working with nearly every major studio and have a diverse slate lined up for 2009 and beyond.
Will documentaries that are action tinged outweigh films for future distribution?
Foster: We are very committed to the original documentary business which is an essential part of IMAX’s history.
We select films – whether it be documentaries or Hollywood titles – that offer three things: 1) Does it take you somewhere where you dream about going. This could be to the depths of the ocean to encounter creatures that have never been captured on film, such as the case with Under the Sea 3D, or to space to walk alongside the astronauts as they repair the Hubble Space Telescope, which we will be doing next year when our cameras accompany the astronauts in the shuttle for Hubble 3D.
2) Visionary Filmmakers – We are working with the who’s who of filmmakers and next year’s slate is especially impressive: Christopher Nolan (Encore Presentation of The Dark Knight), Zack Snyder (Watchmen), Jeffrey Katzenberg (Monsters vs. Aliens), Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg (Transformers), David Heyman and David Yates (Harry Potter 6), James Cameron (Avatar), etc.
And, finally 3) Does the film’s scope take advantage of the IMAX presentation to really immerse the viewer in the story and setting.
IMAX's upcoming slate:
2008:
The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience: January 23
2009:
Under the Sea 3D February 13
Watchmen: The IMAX Experience March 6
Monsters Vs. Aliens: An IMAX 3D Experience March 27
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: The IMAX Experience May 22
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience June 26
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience "Summer"
Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience December 18
2010:
How to Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience March 28
Shrek goes Fourth: An IMAX 3D Experience May 21
Hubble 3D (working title) TBA
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