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IMAX and Warner Bros. Embark on 3D Denizens of Deep

IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. will jointly produce their second original IMAX 3D film, DENIZENS OF THE DEEP (working title). This is Warner Bros. Pictures' sixth film commitment to IMAX theaters in the past 18 months, and follows on the successful release of NASCAR 3D: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE, which set opening weekend box office records for an original IMAX film, and has already grossed more than $18 million.

DENIZENS OF THE DEEP will be shot by award-winning director/cinematographer Howard Hall, produced by Toni Myers, exec produced by Graeme Ferguson and Brad Ball and co-produced by Michelle Hall. The film will offer audiences up-close encounters with some of the world's most exotic undersea creatures. Hall, Ferguson and Myers were all part of the accomplished filmmaking team behind IMAX's first underwater 3D adventure, INTO THE DEEP, which has grossed more than $70 million since its 1991 release.

DENIZENS OF THE DEEP is scheduled for worldwide release to IMAX theaters in 2006 and production will begin on Sept. 18 in the Sea of Cortez.

In addition, as previously announced, on Nov. 10, Warner Bros. Pictures will release THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE, day and date with the regular theatrical release. THE POLAR EXPRESS is a cutting edge combination of next-generation MoCap technology (performance capture by Sony Picture Imageworks called Imagemotion) with state-of-the-art digital animation and will now additionally be rendered in IMAX 3D for a unique large-format viewing experience.

"We have been very pleased with the results of our previous IMAX releases, including the Hollywood event films we've digitally re-mastered into IMAX's format, and NASCAR 3D: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE - our first original IMAX production," said Dan Fellman, president, domestic distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "And we look forward with great excitement to the opening of THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE in November, when it will make a great kickoff to the holiday season."

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures," said Greg Foster, IMAX's president, Filmed Entertainment. "IMAX 3D films have historically been among our highest grossing, best received and most profitable, as they offer an immersive experience that is appealing to both educational and commercial audiences. We look forward to working with Warner Bros. Pictures to deliver another captivating IMAX 3D film."

Previous releases from Warner Bros. Pictures in the IMAX format include HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS.

IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) businesses include the creation and delivery of immersive cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation.

Bill Desowitz's picture

Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.

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