Archive for January, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. and IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) today announced that three-time Academy-Award(R) nominee Leonardo DiCaprio will narrate Hubble 3D. The latest IMAX(R) 3D film from the award-winning team behind Space Station 3D and other successful IMAX space films, led by producer/director Toni Myers, is scheduled for release to IMAX(R) theatres beginning March 19, 2010. Hubble 3D will combine awe-inspiring IMAX 3D footage shot in space with breathtaking, never-before-seen 3D flights through Hubble imagery from the Orion Nebula to the far reaches of the cosmos. The film is the fourth IMAX 3D co-production between the two companies.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6984

“I’m thrilled that Leonardo will be guiding our audiences on this incredible journey through the cosmos,” said producer/director Toni Myers. “It’s a tremendous honor to have him as part of the Hubble 3D team. His extraordinary gift of connecting with audiences is the perfect fit for the immersive experience of Hubble’s story.”

“Leonardo’s exceptional talent as both an actor and communicator will dovetail nicely with this breathtaking film, and we’re looking forward to having him guide us to the edge of the universe and back,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond.

Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “Leonardo has earned recognition around the world not only for his achievements in film, but for being one of the preeminent voices of his generation on subjects of genuine scope that touch our lives. He is an ideal addition to the team and will introduce IMAX audiences to the real-life wonder and drama of Hubble 3D.”

“We are so excited that Leonardo has agreed to narrate this important movie and we would like to officially welcome him to the IMAX family,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “His unique ability to reach movie-goers of all ages in just the right way is ideal for this film, which takes us on a series of exhilarating space walks in IMAX 3D to revitalize the Hubble Space Telescope and then flies us through Hubble’s new breathtaking images of distant galaxies.”

Leonardo DiCaprio most recently earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for his leading role in Sam Mendes’ acclaimed drama “Revolutionary Road.” His numerous honors include three Oscar(R) nominations, the first in 1994 for his work in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” followed by “The Aviator,” in 2005, for which he won the Golden Globe, and “Blood Diamond,” in 2007. DiCaprio’s additional credits include the Oscar(R)-winning films “Titanic” and “The Departed.” He will soon star in Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” and in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” both set for a 2010 release.

Following its March 19 debut, Hubble 3D will open in additional IMAX locations on April 23rd, timed to the Hubble Space Telescope’s 20th Anniversary.

Through the power of IMAX 3D, the film will enable movie-goers to journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt the most difficult and important tasks in NASA’s history. The film will offer an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy and highlight its profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves.

The IMAX 3D camera flew onboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis last May and captured stunning 3D images of the intricate spacewalks required to service the telescope. The footage, shot by the STS-125 astronauts, will be included in the film and will put IMAX audiences right there alongside the spacewalking astronauts. The film will also feature never-before-seen 3D flights through awe-inspiring Hubble imagery, providing a first-person journey to the far reaches of our universe.

Hubble 3D is an IMAX and Warner Bros. Pictures production, in cooperation with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The film reunites the Space Station 3D filmmaking team, led by producer/director Toni Myers. James Neihouse, director of photography, also doubles as the astronaut crew trainer. Judy Carroll is associate producer, and Graeme Ferguson, co-founder of IMAX and pioneer producer of many IMAX space films, is executive producer.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR is the Company’s groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2009, there were 403 IMAX theatres (280 commercial, 123 institutional) operating in 44 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), Experience It In IMAX(R), An IMAX 3D Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

The IMAX Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6469

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management’s assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company’s accounting, the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the viability of new technologies, businesses and products, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Retract those claws, Bar Refaeli! (Assuming, of course, you and Leonardo DiCaprio are back on.) As much as we like a good catfight, Amanda Bynes isn’t looking to steal your man. She just wants to smooch him onscreen. In her quest to prove she’s no longer that squeaky-clean Nickelodeon kid, the 23-year-old has stripped down for the February issue of Maxim. Inside, Amanda says that while she’s not opposed to doing sexy movies, “I’m not gonna do porn.” Yet, if a scene did call for her to lock lips with Leo she’d be all for it. “Ha, yeah, then I wouldn’t mind!” she reveals. Time will tell if the What a Girl Wants star really gets what she wants.