IMAX gets Fast & Furious 5

IMAX gets Fast & Furious 5

The newest chapter in Universal Pictures’ “Fast and Furious” franchise, “Fast Five,” will be going to IMAX digital theaters as a component of the studio’s wide release of the movie on June 10, 2011.

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker return together in the action-thriller from filmmaker Justin Lin that also reunites co-stars from each of the previous installments , along with newcomer to the series, Dwayne Johnson.

“Fast Five is a perfect film for IMAX,” said Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson, noting the movie’s action sequences.

“Universal Pictures partnered with us for our very first DMR release (“Apollo 13″) and we’re excited to work with them again,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond.

Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, said that not only will IMAX screens enhance the thrill ride movie, but that the announcement means that IMAX now has deals with every Hollywood studio.

In Fast Five, former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) partners with ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) on the opposite side of the law. Returning co-stars include Jordana Brewster, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Tego Calderon and Don Omar.

Since Brian and Mia Toretto (Brewster) broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he’s not the only one on their tail.

Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) never misses his target. When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them. But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first.

— By Scott Hettrick