Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

Warner Bros. Pictures' "Where the Wild Things Are" to be released in IMAX

By Staff
posted Jul 23, 2009, 23:32

IMAX Audiences to Experience Spike Jonze's Highly Anticipated Adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Classic Book

(Los Angeles, CA) Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) announced that Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) and produced by Playtone (Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman), will be simultaneously released to both IMAX(R) and conventional theatres on October 16, 2009. Where the Wild Things Are, which chronicles the timeless adventures of a young boy's imaginary journey to a land of "Wild Things," will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology.

Where the Wild Things Are is based on the classic book by Maurice Sendak. Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal for "Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year," the popular adventure tale continues to captivate audiences of every generation after four decades.

"We're excited to provide audiences and fans of such a beloved adventure the chance to experience it in IMAX," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "The imagery and sound in IMAX will help further immerse audiences directly into the land of Wild Things and we look forward to sharing it with them."

"Where the Wild Things Are is an ideal addition to IMAX's fall film slate," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "We see this film as playing to audiences of all ages, and as our network continues to expand, we're pleased to reach more moviegoers than ever before with a classic story told in an unparalleled format."

"This title plays well to IMAX's goal of providing moviegoers with an out-of-this-world adventure they cannot experience anywhere else," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We are thrilled to once again partner with Warner Bros. Pictures, our good friends at Playtone who we've shared so much success with over the years, and now Spike Jonze on his highly imaginative movie adaptation of this classic story."

From director Spike Jonze and written by Spike Jonze Dave Eggers (Away We Go), comes a cinematic twist on one of the most acclaimed adventure stories of all time. Where the Wild Things Are," features Catherine Keener, Forest Whitaker, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Max Records, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper and Catherine O'Hara.

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 movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 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 March 31, 2009, there were 371 IMAX theatres (250 commercial, 121 institutional) operating in 43 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR, The 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/imaxnews) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

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.