SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 23, 2003
IMAX CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
CANADA
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-24216 98-0140269
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2525 Speakman Drive, Sheridan Park, Mississauga, Ontario L5K 1B1
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(905) 403-6500
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
n/a
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events.
IMAX Corporation (the "Corporation") announced today that it has
reached an agreement with Warner Bros., a division of Time Warner Entertainment
Company, L.P. ("Warner Bros.") for the creation and distribution of
IMAX(R)DMR(TM) large format versions of the Warner Bros. films, The Matrix
Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) is
the Corporation's proprietary technology process which allows the conversion of
a 35mm live-action film into the Corporation's 15/70mm film format. The Matrix
Reloaded: The IMAX Experience is scheduled to be released to IMAX(R) theatres in
North America a few weeks after the 35mm version is released to North American
theatres on May 15, 2003. The Matrix Revolutions: The IMAX Experience is
scheduled to be released to IMAX theatres in North America in November 2003,
simultaneously with the 35mm release to North American theatres. A copy of the
press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
IMAX CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: April 23, 2003 By: /s/ Richard L. Gelfond
---------------------------------
Name: Richard L. Gelfond
Title: Co-Chairman and
Co-Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
99.1 Press Release dated April 23, 2003
IMAX CORPORATION
2525 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5K 1B1
Tel: (905) 403-6500 Fax: (905) 403-6450
www.imax.com
THE MATRIX RELOADED AND THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS
TO BE RELEASED AS IMAX(R) FILMS
Digitally Re-mastered Using IMAX(R) DMR(TM) Technology
The Matrix Reloaded to Premiere this Spring; The Matrix Revolutions to Be the
First-Ever IMAX Day and Date Release of a Hollywood Live-Action
Event Film this Fall
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 23, 2003 - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSE: IMAX)
announced today that The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, the second
and third chapters in the Wachowski Brothers' revolutionary film trilogy, will
be coming to IMAX(R) theatres this spring and fall. The Matrix Reloaded and The
Matrix Revolutions, from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and
producer Joel Silver, will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image
and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R), using the revolutionary and
proprietary IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The financial
terms were not disclosed.
The Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience will open shortly after the film's 35mm
release on May 15th. And, on November 5th, The Matrix Revolutions: The IMAX
Experience will be released simultaneously on giant IMAX screens in the IMAX
15/70 format and in conventional theatres in the standard 35mm format. This will
mark the first time ever that a Hollywood live action event film is released
concurrently in 35mm and IMAX's format. IMAX's agreement with Warner Bros.
Pictures, which will be the exclusive distributor of the films to IMAX theatres
worldwide, is also the first multiple IMAX DMR film commitment by a major
Hollywood studio.
"We're excited to give fans the opportunity to experience the world of The
Matrix in this spectacular format," said Joel Silver, producer of The Matrix
trilogy. "Throughout the IMAX DMR conversion process, the IMAX team took
meticulous care in maintaining the technical integrity of the films. The IMAX
Experience of both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions will add a new
dimension to the films' groundbreaking visual action and advances the Wachowski
Brothers' vision for telling the trilogy's story in multiple formats."
"The re-mastered IMAX versions of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions
provide our audience with a whole new way to experience the films that is even
more immersive and more exciting," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic
Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are very pleased to be able to bring
these two innovative, cutting edge, spectacular motion picture experiences to
the millions of Matrix fans and new audiences at IMAX theatres, and to be taking
part in what we believe is part of the future of cinema. IMAX's dedication and
enthusiasm under the direction of Greg Foster, IMAX's President of Filmed
Entertainment, makes this project not only a landmark in motion picture
distribution, but also a real pleasure, and one that we look forward to
repeating in the near future."
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"The Matrix always scored among the highest when we asked our consumers what
movies they wanted to see re-mastered in IMAX's format, and we believe that the
high concept, high tech films will be great for IMAX theatres," said Richard L.
Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, IMAX Corporation. "We
are thrilled to work with Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow and Joel
Silver to bring The Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience to IMAX theatres this
spring -- and to be making motion picture history by bringing the first ever day
and date release of a live-action event film to IMAX theatres with The Matrix
Revolutions this fall. Today, our longtime goal of bringing Hollywood's best
event films to IMAX theatres concurrent with the 35mm release, becomes a
reality. Warner Bros. Pictures is truly visionary in seeding this new ancillary
window through the release of these spectacular films."
Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX will also distribute the first ever 3D
motorsports film, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D in Spring 2004.
About IMAX Corporation
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment
technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery of the
world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX(R) 3D
technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and
presentation. IMAX theatres feature the highest quality film presentations on
screens that are up to eight stories high and 120 feet wide surrounded by 12,000
watts of pure digital sound to create The IMAX Experience. In 2002, IMAX
introduced its revolutionary, proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering)
technology, making it possible for virtually any 35mm live-action film to be
transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX
Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary
and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of December 2002, there were
more than 230 IMAX theatres operating in 32 countries. More than 700 million
people have seen an IMAX presentation since the medium premiered in 1970.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR(TM) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks
of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at
www.imax.com.
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For additional information please contact:
Media: Business Media:
IMAX Corporation, New York Sloane & Company, New York
Romi Schutzer Whit Clay
212-821-0144 212-446-1864
rschutzer@imax.com wclay@sloanepr.com
Entertainment Media: Analysts:
Newman & Company, Los Angeles IMAX Corporation, New York
Al Newman Stephen G. Abraham
818-784-2130 212-821-0140
asn@newman-co.com sabraham@imax.com