IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2, the final installment of the blockbuster film series based on the beloved books by J.K. Rowling, will open in a record number of IMAX theatres day-and-date starting July 13 in several international markets and domestically this Friday, July 15.
Press Release from IMAX Corp.
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2, the final installment of the blockbuster film series based on the beloved books by J.K. Rowling, will open in a record number of IMAX theatres day-and-date starting July 13 in several international markets and domestically this Friday, July 15. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2: An IMAX 3D Experience marks the largest release for the Company with a total of 423 global theatres confirmed to date. The film will open in 395 IMAX locations as of this weekend -- which includes a record 274 IMAX theatres domestically -- with the additional runs debuting over the following four weeks.
The film also has recorded the strongest advance ticket sales for an IMAX release to date, with approximately $8 million in advance ticket sales reported sold as of Tuesday from three-quarters of the confirmed IMAX playdates. In order to meet the demand, many IMAX theatres have scheduled 3:00 a.m. shows, with multiple theatres featuring 24-hour showtimes for opening weekend. In addition, IMAX theatres across the U.K. are virtually sold out through opening weekend.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2: An IMAX 3D Experience has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) through proprietary IMAX DMR(R) technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and theatre geometry that maximizes field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience.
About Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts.
In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climatic showdown with Lord Voldemort.
It all ends here.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, reprising their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film's ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.
The film was directed by David Yates, who also helmed the blockbusters, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1." David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry Potter films, produced the film, together with David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Screenwriter Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.
Behind the scenes, the creative team included director of photography Eduardo Serra, production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, composer Alexandre Desplat, visual effects supervisor Tim Burke, and costume designer Jany Temime.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a David Yates Film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2," which marks the last installment in the most successful film franchise of all time. The film will be released in theatres and IMAX, in 3D and 2D.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated PG-13 for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
About IMAX CorporationIMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theatres deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo and Shanghai. As of March 31, 2011, there were 528 IMAX theatres (408 commercial, 120 institutional) operating in 46 countries.
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