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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Posts Strong International Opening Results in IMAX(R) Theatres

Posted on: Monday, 22 June 2009, 10:26 CDT

New IMAX Theatre in Japan Ranks as Number One Screen in Country

LOS ANGELES, June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX), Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures today announced that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience, directed by Michael Bay and featuring scenes filmed with IMAX(R) cameras, posted strong international opening results, with an estimated $510,000 coming from ten IMAX(R) theatres, for a per screen average of $51,000 during the weekend from Friday June 19 through Sunday June 21. The international IMAX release included three new IMAX digital locations in Japan. The new 109 Cinemas IMAX Theatre in the city of Kawasaki ranked as the highest grossing screen in the country for the film's launch, generating over $81,000 for the weekend. The film is scheduled to open in a record 169 IMAX theatres domestically, in conjunction with the film's nationwide release in conventional theatres on June 24, and will ultimately play on 230 IMAX screens worldwide.

"We're very happy with the initial results internationally, and we're particularly happy that the expanding IMAX network is enabling more people to celebrate the launch of the film with the premium IMAX experience," said Andrew Cripps, President of Paramount Pictures International. "The film looks and sounds incredible in IMAX and we look forward to reaching more audiences during the weeks ahead."

"These initial box results are strong, due in large part to our digital projection system enabling more people in international markets to experience one of the biggest movie events of the year in IMAX," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The fact that a brand new IMAX theatre opened at the number one position in the entire country is encouraging, especially as we continue to focus on expansion in Japan."

"These impressive initial results in the UK and Japan are consistent with the buzz this film has generated worldwide, and we're so pleased that our new Japanese locations have opened with such great early success," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Michael Bay's innovative use of IMAX cameras has created what we believe is a powerful cinematic experience for moviegoers, and we are pleased that this is reflected by these early results."

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience features select scenes filmed with IMAX cameras. Director Michael Bay has seamlessly integrated the IMAX footage with state-of-the-art CGI and visual effects to create an unprecedented look and feel for the sequel to Transformers. The movie sequences shot in traditional 35mm have been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The IMAX DMR scenes appear in the traditional "letterbox" shape, while scenes shot with IMAX's cameras will expand vertically on the IMAX screen.

Every IMAX theatre is specially designed to put the audience IN the movie. The unique theatre geometry of an IMAX theatre combined with crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view provides the world's most immersive movie experience.

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures Present In Association with Hasbro A di Bonaventura Pictures Production A Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production A Michael Bay Film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey, Ramon Rodriguez, Isabel Lucas and John Turturro. The film is directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman. The producers are Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. The executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. Based on Hasbro's Transformers(TM) Action Figures. This film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX(R) theatres delivering the world's best movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R), technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of March 31, 2009, there were 371 IMAX theatres (250 commercial, 121 institutional) operating in 43 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR, The IMAX 3D Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax),, Twitter (www.twitter.com/imaxnews) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, including the length and severity of the current economic downturn, the opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by the Company, the performance of IMAX DMR films, conditions in the in-home and out-of home entertainment industries, the signing of theatre system agreements, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry, the failure to convert theatre system backlog into revenue, investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions, foreign currency fluctuations and the Company's prior restatements and the related litigation and ongoing inquiries by the SEC and the OSC. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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