IMAX & Playtone Team with Lockheed Martin

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgIMAX Corp. [1] and Tom Hanks' and Gary Goetzman's Playtone have reached a deal with Lockheed Martin, to have the aerospace company sponsor the forthcoming IMAX 3D film, MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION. The 45-minute space documentary, which will be shot in giant 15/70 format using IMAX 3D cameras, will detail the life-changing experience of the 12 men who walked on the moon by showcasing what these men saw, heard, felt, thought and did while on the lunar surface. Mark Cowen, Emmy nominee for the documentary film WE STAND ALONE TOGETHER: THE MEN OF EASY COMPANY (a.k.a. BAND OF BROTHERS) will direct along with supervision by Greg Foster, president of filmed entertainment, IMAX Corp. Cowen will also produce, along with Mark Herzog, Hanks and Goetzman. The film is scheduled for release in 2005.

Tom Hanks commented, "We went to the Moon. Everyone knows that. We -- by proxy in the form of the Apollo Astronauts -- flew up into the sky, sailed to the Moon, and landed on Luna Firma. What we know too little of is what we did while we were there. MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION takes the audience to the surface of the Moon -- to the Ocean of Storms, the Fra Mauro Highlands and the Taurus Littrow Valley, as well as Sea of Tranquility -- as only IMAX can. Exploring the Moon was humankind's most incredible roadtrip. Our film will bring along anyone who wants to take that giant leap for themselves."

"We believe MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION holds the potential to be extremely successful given the exciting subject matter and Tom Hanks' passion and creative vision. The film will be designed by Playtone and IMAX to play at both commercial and institutional IMAX theatres for many years," said IMAX co-ceos/co-chairmen Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are thrilled to partner once again with Lockheed Martin, which together with NASA and IMAX have created one of the highest grossing large format film franchises, featuring space films that have cumulatively grossed more than $350 million."

"For nearly 20 years, Lockheed Martin has teamed with IMAX and NASA to produce films with the goal of educating and inspiring young and old about the wonders of math, science and technology through the prism of space," said Dennis Boxx, svp, corporate communications, Lockheed Martin Corp. "And through our newly formed partnership with IMAX, NASA and now the creative team headed by Tom Hanks, a new generation will be enticed by the excitement and drama the astronauts of the Apollo program brought into our homes as they dared to dream of space and set foot on the lunar surface."

"NASA is proud to collaborate with Playtone, as well as continue our successful relationships with IMAX and Lockheed Martin," said Glenn Mahone, assistant administrator for public affairs at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Tom Hanks' enthusiasm for exploration is clearly evident in his previous productions that chronicle NASA's remarkable history, and we believe MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION is a wonderful opportunity to capture the interest and curiosity of the next generation of explorers."

The film will break new ground with never before seen photographs, CGI renditions of the lunar landscape and previously unreleased NASA footage. The film's content will be based on "The Lunar Surface Journals," a massive archival database compiled over the last decade by Dr. Eric Jones, which chronicles the moon walks as recounted by the astronauts. Lockheed Martin, NASA and IMAX last collaborated on SPACE STATION, an IMAX 3D film released in April 2002, which has grossed nearly $70 million and continues to play in theatres worldwide.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com [2].

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery of cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. For more information, visit www.imax.com [3].