Disney's New Five-Picture Deal With IMAX to Begin With 'A Christmas Carol'
SINGAPORE, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/--
Epic Fantasy From Director Robert Zemeckis and Starring Jim Carrey Leads
Impressive Line-Up
Disney's "A Christmas Carol," the spectacular 3D 2009 holiday release from
director Robert Zemeckis and starring Jim Carrey, will be the first film from The
Walt Disney Studios slated for IMAX(R) theatres under a new five-picture
arrangement the studio reached with IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSX: IMX), it
was announced today by Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Group. Disney's "A Christmas Carol" will lead off an impressive slate
of upcoming films from the Studio and a roster of top filmmakers that may include
director Tim Burton as well as producer Jerry Bruckheimer. This arrangement
makes some of the Studio's most highly anticipated theatrical releases from
November 2009 and beyond available to IMAX venues across the country and around
the world.
Commenting on the announcement, Zoradi said, "Experiencing great motion
pictures in IMAX takes moviegoing to a whole new level of excitement, and we're
thrilled to be working with the pioneers at IMAX in this venture. We can't think
of a better way to launch than with Robert Zemeckis' fantastic new approach to
the Dickens' classic, 'A Christmas Carol.' Following that, we have an incredible
slate of new Disney Digital 3D(TM) motion pictures from some of the industry's
most accomplished and innovative filmmakers, and we know audiences are going to
love being immersed in these great fantasies and adventures in IMAX's format."
"Entering into a five-picture agreement with Walt Disney Studios helps us
ensure that our network has an outstanding slate of movies going forward," said
IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We're
delighted to enter this new partnership with one of the greatest brands in the
industry, especially at a time when we're expanding to reach even more IMAX
moviegoers."
Chuck Viane, president of distribution, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
added, "IMAX has a great track record and a loyal following when it comes to
presenting epic entertainment, and we believe we have a unique and exciting slate
of films that lend themselves to the IMAX format. With the introduction of
IMAX's digital projection system, and the addition of new venues across the
country, this is a great time to be working with IMAX to bring the ultimate
moviegoing experience to audiences everywhere."
"Disney's commitment to 3D is great for IMAX moviegoers and dovetails ideally
with our strategy to build a slate of top-quality movies from the best filmmakers
and studios," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed
Entertainment. "We look forward to releasing "A Christmas Carol" as the first of
many great Disney titles and working with them to provide IMAX theatres with more
outstanding 3D content in the years ahead."
Robert Zemeckis' takes the art of performance capture to the next level with
the November 6, 2009 release of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol.' This multi-sensory
3D motion picture captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in
a groundbreaking motion picture event. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the
Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk
(Gary Oldman), and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of
Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come (all played by Carrey) take him on an
eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must
open his heart to undo years of ill will before it's too late.
Release dates for additional titles will be announced in the near future.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
International
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
International are the global marketing and distribution arms of The Walt Disney
Studios. They are responsible for all aspects of marketing, publicity,
advertising, promotion, and distribution for motion pictures released under the
Walt Disney Pictures (including Walt Disney Animation and Pixar), Touchstone
Pictures, and Hollywood Pictures banners. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
oversees all domestic marketing and distribution activities, and generated a
Studio gross of more than $1.35 billion in 2007, giving the Studio its 11th
billion dollar year in the past 14 years, a feat unmatched by any other Studio.
At the overseas box office, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International
helped propel the Studio to a gross exceeding $1.7 billion in 2007, leading the
division to an unprecedented 13 consecutive years of surpassing the $1 billion
mark at the international box office.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology
companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide
IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution
platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres
delivering the world's best movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D,
and IMAX DMR(R), technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital
re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any
conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The
IMAX Experience. IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the
world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world
for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of
September 30, 2008, there were 320 IMAX theatres operating in 42 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR, IMAX MPX, and The IMAX Experience(R) are
trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to IMAX
Corporation that are based on its management's assumptions and existing
information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such
forward looking statements. For a list of certain of these risks and
uncertainties, please see IMAX Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
SOURCE: The Walt Disney Studios
CONTACT: Heidi Trotta of The Walt Disney Studios
+1-818-560-7280
heidi.trotta@disney.com; or
Sarah Gormley of IMAX Corporation
+1-212-821-0155
sgormley@imax.com
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