December
18 , 2003
Highly
Anticipated Film to be Digitally Re-mastered Using
IMAX DMR Technology
Warner Bros.
Pictures and IMAX Corporation Sign Deal Following Successful IMAX
Release of Last Two Chapters of The Matrix Trilogy
IMAX Corporation)
and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Harry Potter and the
Prisoner of Azkaban, the third installment of the Harry Potter
film series, will be released to IMAX(R) theatres in addition to
conventional theatres in June 2004. This family event film, based on
the third book of the world renowned and best-selling series, will be
digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality
of The IMAX Experience(R) through
proprietary IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
This deal represents
the second IMAX DMR film commitment from Warner Bros. Pictures in the
last year, and comes on the heels of the successful performances of
the second and third chapters of The Matrix trilogy in IMAX theatres.
Based on the best-selling series of books by J.K. Rowling, the
first two movies in the Harry Potter series broke worldwide records
with a
combined box-office gross of nearly $1.9 billion. Warner Bros. Pictures
is to be the exclusive distributor of Harry Potter to IMAX theatres
worldwide.
"Our partnership
with IMAX has been extremely rewarding and has allowed our films to
expand their reach beyond our traditional audiences by offering viewers
a whole new way to see Hollywood event films that is uniquely immersive
and exciting," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution,
Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are so pleased that this summer,
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which lends itself beautifully
to IMAX's format, will play throughout the IMAX theatre network. Besides
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, we are discussing an IMAX(R)
3D release of Polar Express in November 2004, and an IMAX DMR
release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the summer of
2005."
"We are thrilled to be expanding our mutually beneficial partnership
with Warner Bros. Pictures that began with the successful release of
the last two chapters in The Matrix trilogy," said Richard
L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs,
IMAX Corporation. "This announcement is yet another indication
that we are achieving our goal of bringing the very best Hollywood event
films to IMAX theatres, which we believe is key to expanding the IMAX
network around the world. Our research has shown us that moviegoers
want to see blockbuster films in IMAX's format and are paying a premium
price for the experience. We believe that the magic of Harry Potter
The Prisoner of Azkaban will translate into an amazing cinematic
adventure in IMAX theatres, and will continue the strong performances
of IMAX DMR releases to date."
"We are very excited to bring the adventure and fantasy of Harry
Potter to life on the giant IMAX screen," said David Heyman,
producer of the Harry Potter film series. "When Alfonso
Cuaron, the film's director, and I, saw IMAX DMR, we knew we had
to release this film in IMAX theatres, as it will bring a whole new
perspective to this magical story. Whether they've read all of the Harry
Potter novels and seen the first two films, or are just now immersing
themselves in the world of Harry Potter, fans will amplify their
experience with IMAX's exceptional and immersive cinematic presentation."
Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX will also be distributing the first-ever
3D motorsports film, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience starting March 12,
2004. Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland and starring the drivers
of NASCAR, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience will put moviegoers in the
driver's seat in an unprecedented way through the magic of IMAX 3D technology.