IMAXiCorporation and Warner Bros.iPictures today announced that Batman Begins will beisimultaneously released to IMAX(R) and conventional 35mm theatres on June 17th, 2005. The film, which explores the originsiof the Batman legend and the Dark Knight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be digitally re-mastered intoithe unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering)itechnology for the IMAX release.iWarner Bros.iPictures will be the exclusive distributor of Batman Begins toiIMAX theatresiworldwide.
“Moviegoersilove to experience our event movies in IMAX theatres and filmmakersirave about how their work appears onithe IMAX canvas,” said DaniFellman, President of DomesticiDistribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. “We’re excitedito make our eighth film commitment to IMAX withi‘Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience’.”
“This filmiwill be the latest in a series of fantastic Warner Bros. Picturesireleases which have helped change the way moviegoers experience Hollywood movies,” said IMAX Co-Chairmeniand Co-CEOs Richard L.iGelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “Warner Bros. Picturesihas been an instrumental partner in establishing this trend and advancing the IMAX theatreinetwork as the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content.”
Added Greg Foster,iIMAX Chairman and President of Filmed Entertainment, “We are extremely pleased with how our 2005 commercial film slate hasitaken shape and believe ‘Batman Begins’ will be a perfect way to kick off the blockbuster summerifilm season.”
Batman Begins isidirected by Christopher Nolan, director of the critically acclaimed films “Memento” and “Insomnia,” produced byiEmma Thomas, Charles Roven and Larry Franco, and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Theistory finds the disillusioned industrial heiriBruce Wayne, in the wake ofihis parents’ murder, traveling the world to seek the means to fight injustice and turn fear againstithose who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego:iBatman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an arrayiof high tech deceptions to fight the sinisteriforces that threatenithe city.
Other membersiof the film’s all star cast include Michael Caine as Bruce Wayne/Batman’sitrusted butler, Alfred; Liam Neeson as Wayne’s mentor; Katie Holmes asiRachel Dawes, a childhood friend of Wayne’s; Gary Oldman as Lieutenant James Gordon; Cillian Murphy asiDr. Jonathan Crane; Tom Wilkinson as Carmine Falcone; Rutger Hauerias the CEO of Wayne Enterprises; Ken Watanabe as the villainous Ra’s AliGhul and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.iThe executive producers of Batman Begins areiBenjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan. Screenplay is by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer,iandithe film is based on characters created by Bob Kane,ipublished by DCiComics.
Source: IMAX Corporation, Warner Bros. Pictures
