IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that SUPERMAN RETURNS grossed $108 million at the domestic box office in 4,065 locations over the extended fourth of July weekend, and that SUPERMAN RETURNS: AN IMAX 3-D Experience contributed $6.83 million, representing a record seven-day per-screen average of $89,804. The film shattered every opening week record for an IMAX Hollywood simultaneous release, playing to sell-out crowds and strong audience satisfaction. The film also opened on 11 IMAX screens internationally and will launch on 24 more in coming weeks.
"We are thrilled with the initial success of SUPERMAN RETURNS in both conventional theatres and IMAX theaters," said Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "The special IMAX 3-D release has been well received by moviegoers across the country, and will continue to play to sell-out crowds."
"These phenomenal results demonstrate the consumer enthusiasm for experiencing SUPERMAN RETURNS in IMAX 3-D," said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are confident that this amazing film and the immersive quality of The IMAX Experience will continue to draw audiences to the growing IMAX theater network."
The film opened strong in several key international territories, with a record international seven-day per-screen average of $67,888 and many IMAX theaters reporting record performances and numerous sold-out shows.
"The IMAX 3-D release of SUPERMAN RETURNS is off to an incredible start in Asia and based on strong pre-sales in Europe, it looks like this is the beginning of a worldwide success story," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We look forward to reaching an even wider audience as we continue to open the film during the next few weeks in IMAX theaters internationally."
"Through the amazing execution of Bryan Singer's vision and our partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, IMAX has transported audiences directly into the adventure of Superman," added Greg Foster, chairman and president, IMAX Filmed Ent. "Audiences literally reach out to touch Superman as he flies toward them in the IMAX 3-D sequences, and this unique offering is translating into unprecedented box office results for IMAX."
IMAX Corp. used its proprietary 2-D to 3-D conversion technology to successfully complete the conversion of approximately 20 minutes of SUPERMAN RETURNS into An IMAX 3-D Experience, the most immersive cinematic 3-D in the world. During four select sequences of the film, a visual cue designed by Singer indicates when audiences should put on and remove their IMAX 3-D glasses. The film has been transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
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 the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D, and IMAX DMR technology. As of March 31, 2006, there were 266 IMAX theaters operating in 36 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
