“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be the first scripted Hollywood movie on the 3D channel launching in 2011 from a joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corp.
That is not a surprise, and neither are the contributions from IMAX and Discovery, nature programs and other 3D documentaries announced today by Tom Cosgrove, president and CEO of the operation.
No more information was provided relative to a launch date or of any original programming to be produced by any of the three partners in the venture, which claims it will be the first “fully-programmed” 24/7 3D channel in the U.S., although the DirecTV/Panasonic n3D channel offers programming 24-hours a day and much of the same kind of nature and IMAX documentaries as well as music series and other productions. ESPN 3D only broadcasts selected live sporting events each week.
The series and films announced today are (in alphabetical order):
Original Series
Abandoned Planet
Explore the strangest places on earth – entire cities now completely devoid of all humanity. This series of one-hour programs sheds light on why people have abandoned the places they once called home and what happens after they leave. Produced by Flight 33 Productions.
Africa in 3D
From Gannet Island and its 100,000 seabirds of the same name sharing one giant rock, the 60,000 flamingos at Kamfers Dam, the Luangwa River and its 30,000 hippos and much more, this series of one-hour programs captures the richness and diversity of the world’s second-largest continent. Produced by Aquavision Television Productions.
China
China’s beauty is little seen, often hidden and always surprising. This hour-long series studies the thronging cities, epic vistas and spiritual heartlands of this huge and mysterious nation in
stunning 3D. Produced by Natural History New Zealand Ltd. (NHNZ).
Jewels of the World
This hour-long series gives viewers unprecedented access to UNESCO’s ‘World Heritage’ sites, where the planet’s natural and cultural gems are catalogued and protected, including: the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru; the Temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia; and the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, among others. Produced by Natural History New Zealand Ltd. (NHNZ).
Exclusive U.S. Premieres
Attack of the Giant Jellyfish (Discovery)
This hour-long program explores the myths and realities behind the global explosion of deadly jellyfish, including the giant Nomura, whose strength and size makes them capable of capsizing boats and wreaking havoc on the high seas. Produced by Story House Productions.
The Haunted (Discovery)
Using infrared cameras and sensitive recording devices, a paranormal team investigates true, chilling and terrifying stories of animals and their owners who are experiencing the unexplainable. This one-hour program is produced by Picture Shack Entertainment.
Into the Deep 3D (IMAX)
This IMAX special takes audiences on a spectacular three-dimensional exploration of the undersea world. Using the IMAX 3D camera in its underwater housing for the first time, this film captures unique marine life and magnificent underwater vistas.
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (IMAX)
Through the magic of IMAX 3D, narrator Tom Hanks takes viewers to the lunar surface to walk alongside the 12 extraordinary astronauts who have been there to experience what they saw, heard, felt, thought and did.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sony)
Inspired by the beloved children’s book of the same name, this animated 3D feature follows inventor Flint Lockwood and a brainy weathergirl as they attempt to discover why the rain in their small town has stopped, and food is falling in its place.
Monster House (Sony)
A suburban home has become physically animated by a vengeful human soul looking to stir up trouble from beyond the grave, and it’s up to three adventurous kids from the neighborhood to do battle with the structural golem in this comically frightful tale.