IMAX has struck a deal with 20th Century Fox to bring some of the studio’s biggest upcoming releases to the big, big screen. It was announced today that the two companies have entered into a long-term, multi-picture agreement that sees future tentpoles like Deadpool, the sci-fi sequel Independence Day Resurgence, the trilogy capper Maze Runner: The Death Cure, and the untitled final Wolverine film (well, final with Hugh Jackman) being showcased in the IMAX format.
Death Cure and Wolverine have yet to begin shooting, but Deadpool and Independence Day weren’t shot in IMAX so they will be digitally re-mastered into the IMAX format for image and sound. When Steve spoke with Maze Runner director Wes Ball recently he professed his love for shooting digital and said he’s open to shooting the trilogy’s third installment, The Death Cure, in IMAX now that IMAX has digital cameras, so it’s possible that movie could actually get the pure-bred IMAX treatment.
Curiously absent from the list is Bryan Singer’s sequel X-Men: Apocalypse, which was shot in 3D but not IMAX. However, its lack of IMAX treatment is likely due to the fact that it opens on the same weekend as Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, which may have already secured IMAX theaters for that weekend given Disney's insane success with the IMAX 3D release of the first film.
Regardless, this is a partnership that will span multiple years, so looking ahead it’s not tough to envision films like Gambit, Assassin’s Creed, or War for the Planet of the Apes also getting the IMAX treatment. Read the full press release below.
LOS ANGELES – Oct. 30, 2015 – IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) and Twentieth Century Fox, a division of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOX), jointly announced the companies have entered into a long-term, multi-picture agreement. Marking the two companies’ first joint multi-picture agreement, the deal includes future tentpoles from the Fox slate, including Deadpool, Independence Day Resurgence, Maze Runner: The Death Cure and the studio’s untitled Wolverine project.
“We are very happy to announce this new global affiliation with IMAX and look forward to offering our audiences another choice in their viewing of our movies,” stated Paul Hanneman, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution and Chris Aronson, President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution. “We look forward to working with our partners in what is sure to be an exciting and rewarding future.”
“We are extremely pleased to enter into this strategic alliance with Fox, with whom we have experienced some of our greatest successes,” said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corp. “Given their exciting upcoming slate, the agreement makes strategic sense for both companies. We are also excited to be able to release blockbusters together in China, which we think could help IMAX and Fox expand our footprint in that market jointly.”
“With this new multi-picture deal, IMAX closes the loop among the Hollywood studios and takes our relationship with Fox to a new level,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We are excited to bring this particular slate of films to IMAX fans worldwide.”
The IMAX release of each film will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
