IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures will release V FOR VENDETTA, the action-adventure from the creators of THE MATRIX trilogy, simultaneously to IMAX and conventional theaters on March 17, 2006. Produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers, directed by James McTeigue and starring Natalie Portman, V FOR VENDETTA will be digitally re-mastered through IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Warner Bros. Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theaters worldwide. It features vfx from Cinesite (Europe) and Double Negative.
The addition of V FOR VENDETTA makes IMAX's 2006 film slate stronger than any previous slate in the company's 35-year history, with five new digitally re-mastered Hollywood films including two in IMAX 3-D already scheduled to be released day-and-date to IMAX theaters this year.
Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. It tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as "V." Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he urges his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plan to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.
"We're excited to give fans the opportunity to experience V FOR VENDETTA in IMAX's spectacular format," said Silver. "The clarity and immersive quality of The IMAX Experience adds a dynamic dimension to the film's powerful visuals, breathtaking action and multi-layered storytelling."
"Moviegoers loved THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS in IMAX theatres, and we are thrilled to offer the next story from the Wachowski Brothers and Joel Silver in this powerful and unique way," said Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Beginning with this film, we expect a Hollywood film to be released to the IMAX theater network every six to eight weeks in 2006, and we are confident that the rising number of event titles will continue to drive the growth of the IMAX theater network worldwide, said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler.
Previously announced IMAX releases through Warner Bros. include POSEIDON (May 12), SUPERMAN RETURNS (June 30) and THE ANT BULLY (in IMAX 3-D, Aug. 4).
"Warner Bros. Pictures has a special expertise in developing, marketing and distributing groundbreaking, event films, and we're thrilled to once again partner with the studio to fill the March release window with this provocativefilm," said Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Ent.
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers the some of the best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Sept. 30, 2005, there were 261 IMAX theaters operating in more than 38 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
