OPEN SEASON, the first 3D-animated feature from Sony Pictures Ent., will open in IMAX 3-D simultaneously with the conventional release on Sept. 29. Sony Pictures Releasing will be the exclusive distributor of movie to IMAX theaters worldwide.
OPEN SEASON is directed by Roger Allers (THE LION KING), Jill Culton (who worked on Disney/Pixars MONSTERS, INC. and TOY STORY 2) and co-director Anthony Stacchi (whose credits include ANTZ).
OPEN SEASON stars the vocal talents of Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Messing and Gary Sinise.
IMAX's 2006 film slate now includes six new digitally re-mastered Hollywood films scheduled to be released day-and-date to IMAX theaters, and one original IMAX 3-D film, DEEP SEA 3-D, which opened last weekend. OPEN SEASON brings the total number of new IMAX 3-D releases for the year to four. The other two are The Ant Bully: An IMAX 3-D Experience (Aug. 4) and Happy Feet: An IMAX 3-D Experience (Nov. 17), both from Warner Bros. Pictures. Other IMAX DMR releases from Warner Bros. include V FOR VENDETTA (March 17), POSEIDON (May 12) and SUPERMAN RETURNS (June 30).
"The amazing immersive quality of IMAX 3D will give moviegoers an opportunity to experience the first full-length animated motion picture from Sony Pictures Animation in a very special way," said Rory Bruer, president of Domestic Distribution Releasing. "This is a format that has proven especially successful with family features, and the IMAX theater network helps generate incremental revenue for event titles such as OPEN SEASON. We are pleased to be an important part of IMAX's 2006 lineup."
"We are excited to expand our partnership with Sony Pictures to BRING OPEN SEASON to IMAX theaters in September," said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Sony Pictures has always produced incredible films, and as the studio invests in the animation business, the addition of OPEN SEASON to our strong 2006 film slate will enable IMAX theater operators to attract moviegoers of all ages through the fall season."
"We began a successful working relationship with Sony Pictures several years ago with SPIDER-MAN 2, and we are delighted to work with them again," said Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Ent. "The popularity of IMAX 3-D has never been stronger and we are thrilled to offer moviegoers OPEN SEASON as the fourth IMAX 3-D title for 2006."
Sony Pictures Ent. (SPE, www.sonypictures.com) is a subsidiary of Sony Corp. of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corp. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
Sony Pictures Animation was established in May, 2002 to enable Sony Pictures Ent. to tap into digital production and bring entertainment for audiences of all ages to the screen. In addition to OPEN SEASON, the division is currently in production on SURFS UP (summer 2007).
Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. is an Academy Award-winning, state-of-the-art visual effects and character animation company dedicated to the art and artistry of digital production and character creation. The company has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars for its work on Spider-Man 2 and the CG-animated short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS! and nominations for THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, SPIDER-MAN, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE and STARSHIP TROOPERS. Imageworks continues to raise the level in the visual effects and character animation businesses, becoming a major force in the industry by providing leading edge technology to its world-class artists. Imageworks is a division of Sony Pictures Digital, which oversees the digital production and online entertainment assets of Sony Pictures Ent.
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers some of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Dec. 31, 2005, there were 266 IMAX theaters operating in 38 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
