Forum Archive Index - June 2000

["nick" <acummin@es.co.nz>]

 max, Dreamworks Plan Large-Screen, 3-D 'Shrek'

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Theater owner Imax Corp. (Toronto:IMX.TO - news) (NasdaqNM:IMAX - news) and film studio DreamWorks on Wednesday said they plan to show a three-dimensional version of upcoming animated film ''Shrek'' in Imax's large screen venues.

``Shrek,'' about an old ogre who tries to save his swamp from being overrun by a group of annoying fairy-tale creatures, features the voices of top comedians like Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, as well as actresses Cameron Diaz and Linda Hunt.

DreamWorks plans to release a two-dimensional version in mainstream theaters in May 2001, and the special Imax 3D version should hit Imax theaters in December 2001.

The agreement reflects Imax's efforts to expand the types of films shown in its theaters.

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``This film will continue our evolution as a unique family entertainment option, and firmly establish the IMAX theater network as a release window for family-oriented Hollywood films,'' Imax co-chief executive officer Bradley Wechsler said in a statement.

Imax theaters have traditionally shown science- and reality-based films in their specialized theaters with screens that can approach 80-feet tall. The theaters have, in the past, been built near museums and tourist attractions.

But in recent years, Imax theater owners have been building the large-screen theaters in mainstream theater mega-plexes. To fill seats it has turned to more typical movies such as last year's release of Disney's ``Fantasia 2000'' and, more recently, the inspirational film, ``Michael Jordan to the Max.''

There are currently about 210 Imax theaters in 26 countries around the world. Imax owns some of the theaters and franchises others. It makes the equipment for producing and showing the special, large screen films, and its subsidiaries make digital filmmaking and sound equipment.