Toronto-based IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc. report they have completed an agreement to release up to 20 Warner Bros. films in IMAX's format from 2010 through 2013.The agreement strategically aligns Warners 'tent-pole' business with the increasing popularity of The IMAX Experience(R) in both 2D and IMAX(R) 3D, providing the studio with an added distribution platform.
Under the agreement, Warner Bros. movies that will be released in IMAX are "Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 3D" (September 24, 2010); "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (3D)" (November 19, 2010); "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (3D)" (July 15, 2011); "Happy Feet 2 (3D)" (November 18, 2011); and "The Hobbit" (December 2013).
Warners and IMAX also plan to release an additional 15 films over the course of 2011, 2012 and 2013, including "Gravity", "Dark Shadows", "(Mad Max) Fury Road", "Batman 3" and "Superman".
"Our track record with IMAX has been incredible, and incorporating 3D into this collaborative effort will serve as the ultimate experience for our audiences," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
"We're thrilled to join with IMAX in bringing global audiences new and exciting experiences through the 3D IMAX format," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
"Warner Bros. is and has been an important strategic partner for IMAX. The success of our partnership to date is a result of our integrated approach to marketing and release strategies, and we believe this formula will lead to more box office success in the future," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX.
"IMAX has a deep appreciation for Warner Bros.' approach to the film business; they consistently work with the industry's most talented filmmakers, produce and release blockbuster films that captivate global audiences and make going to the movies a fun, powerful and inspiring experience," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
Since June 2003, Warners has released 25 titles in IMAX's format, 10 of which featured IMAX 3D, including several live action pictures that were partially converted into 3D with IMAX's proprietary 2D-to-3D conversion technology.
Warner Bros. films have generated approximately $565 million in box office revenues at IMAX theatres around the world, with each Hollywood title digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of 'The IMAX Experience' using IMAX's proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technology. Also included in the tally are the studio's four original IMAX 3D co-productions, "NASCAR 3D" (2003), "Deep Sea 3D" (2008), "Under the Sea 3D" (2009) and "Hubble 3D," in select IMAX theatres now...
