IMAX will be getting two more movies from Disney‘s Touchstone distribution next year, both from DreamWorks Studios (the live-action entity), and both are fantastical thrillers that will open in digital IMAX theatres around the world.
“I Am Number Four,” helmed by D.J. Caruso (“Eagle Eye,” “Disturbia”) is scheduled for U.S. release on Feb. 18, five weeks after the IMAX release of “The Green Hornet” in IMAX 3D on Jan. 14. “I Am Number Four” is about an extraordinary teen (Alex Pettyfer) who is hiding out while being hunted by ruthless enemies who have already killed the first three of his kind. Timothy Olyphant (Justified) and Dianna Agron (Glee) also star in the story set in a small Ohio town where the young man discovers powerful new abilities as well as a connection to the others who share his destiny.
“Real Steel,” scheduled for Oct. 7 in the U.S., is a gritty robot boxing drama starring Hugh Jackman set in the future that marks quite a departure for director Shawn Levy (“A Night at the Museum” franchise, “Date Night”). Jackman plays washed-up fighter Charlie Kenton, who lost his chance at a title when 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. When he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo), Charlie gets one last shot at a comeback.
IMAX has also announced a Jan. 14 release
“Having ‘I Am Number Four’ and ‘Real Steel’ exhibited in IMAX theatres gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase the fantastic work of the filmmakers and the people involved in creating these visual tales,” said Jeff Small, President and COO of DreamWorks Studios. “Audiences get the benefit of a fully immersive movie-going experience on two films that are ideally suited for the visual and sensory IMAX experience.”
” ‘Real Steel’ and ‘I Am Number Four’ are films that transport the audience right into the middle of the action,” said Chuck Viane, president of global distribution for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. “We’re very excited to be able to offer moviegoers The IMAX Experience for these films.”
“The inclusion of two live-action DreamWorks titles in our 2011 slate enables us to expand the range of content available to IMAX theatres and extend our brand deeper into our growing 18-34 audience segment,” said IMAX Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Gelfond.
“The strong track records of Steven, Stacey, Jeff and the filmmakers represent the quality and excitement that we look for in our films and we believe these strong titles are an ideal fit for our audience and our 2011 film slate,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
— By Scott Hettrick