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Disney's "Chicken Little" sparks 3-D "Robinsons"

Posted on: Thursday, 17 November 2005, 20:24 CST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Pictures on Thursday said it will release an upcoming computer animated movie, "Meet the Robinsons," in a three-dimensional version following the success of current 3-D hit "Chicken Little."

The 3-D "Chicken Little" is being closely watched in Hollywood as an early test of alternative types of movies made for new digital cinema systems. The industry is in a very early, tentative stage of a transition to digital projection from old celluloid filmstrip.

The 3-D computer animated "Chicken Little" raked in an average $26,000 per theater in its opening weekend this month in 79 venues equipped with new digital projectors. Ticket sales in over 3,600 theaters showing a traditional film averaged $10,961, Disney said in a statement.

"The box office performance level of the 3-D theaters proves that the public is not only embracing the story but the newest in innovative technology as well," said Disney movie distribution chief Chuck Viane.

Digital projection is a new form of movie screening and distribution that promises Hollywood's studios lower costs, audiences a crisper picture and theater owners new ways to lure moviegoers to box offices.

But the systems' costs range from $80,000 to $100,000 per system, so theater owners have been reluctant to install them.

Disney expects to be able to release the 3-D "Robinsons" in 750 to 1000 screens as a digital cinema transition expands.

"Robinsons" is based on a book by William Joyce in which a young boy travels into the future and meets an eccentric family, the Robinsons, who will change his life.

For the 3-D "Chicken Little," Disney partnered with equipment provider Dolby Digital and effects company Industrial Light & Magic to outfit theaters. The 3-D film was made using technology provided by California-based Real D.

Disney is a unit of The Walt Disney Co. and Dolby is part of Dolby Laboratories. Industrial Light & Magic and Real D are privately held.

Source: REUTERS

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