POSEIDON and SUPERMAN RETURNS are the latest Warner Bros. tentpole pictures to get the large format IMAX treatment. Wolfgang Petersens remake of THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (with vfx from ILM and MPC) will be released May 12, 2006, on both conventional and IMAX screens. Bryan Singers SUPERMAN RETURNS (with vfx from Sony Pictures Imageworks, Rhythm + Hues, The Orphanage and Rising Sun Pictures, among others) follows the same release pattern on June 30, 2006.
The drama and intensity of POSEIDON lends itself well to the power of The IMAX Experience, and we look forward to offering moviegoers the ultimate way to experience this classic adventure, said Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures.
POSEIDON is going to be a major release for us in the international marketplace next year, added Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of International Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. We are very pleased to be offering this exciting movie in the IMAX format as well as in conventional release. We believe its exactly the type of film that audiences will respond to in IMAXs dramatic large-scale presentation.
POSEIDON: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE is another outstanding addition to next years robust commercial film slate, said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. Warner Bros. Pictures does a fantastic job of integrating us into their marketing efforts and fully eventizes its IMAX releases, and we look forward to continuing our great partnership on POSEIDON. The rate with which our 2006 film slate is being assembled reflects the significant value The IMAX Experience brings to an event film, and we believe this strong slate will help accelerate our conversations with leading commercial exhibitors around the world.
Weve developed a very rewarding partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures the past few years, successfully working with the studio to convert several major blockbusters into must-see events in IMAX theaters, and were delighted to join with them once again to bring moviegoers a larger-than-life POSEIDON experience, said Greg Foster, chairman/president of IMAX Filmed Ent. Audiences that experience this film in IMAXs format will actually feel the rumble of the colossal tidal wave and experience the ensuing suspense and excitement as if they were on the S.S. Poseidon.
SUPERMAN RETURNS is going to be an epic adventure, and by also offering the film in IMAXs format, were giving audiences a unique way to experience the return of the Man of Steel, added Fellman,
We specifically developed the IMAX DMR conversion process so wed be able to showcase tentpole pictures like SUPERMAN RETURNS on the IMAX canvas, and were delightedto bring this huge event film to IMAX theaters, added Gelfond and Wechsler.
Bryan Singer is a cutting edge filmmaker, and when moviegoers experience his unique vision of SUPERMAN in IMAX theaters, theyre going to feel like they are flying right alongside the Man of Steel, added Foster.
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the worlds leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers the cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. As of March 31, 2005, there were 250 IMAX theaters operating in more than 35 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
