Batman overtakes 'Polar Express' as top first-run release
The Imax-format button of Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight" has blown past "The Polar Express" as the giant-screen exhibitor's top first-run release.
Imax too touted the Batman sequel's passing an average agree of $400,000 per screen on its 139 worldwide screens.
"The Dark Knight has shown the power of the Imax experience when partnered with a filmmaker and a studio that get it," Imax Filmed Entertainment headman Greg Foster said.
Directed by Christopher Nolan and stellar Christian Bale, "Dark Knight" has rung up more than $925 million world-wide including $55 million in Imax grosses. That compares to the $45 one thousand thousand fetched by Imax 3-D version of Warners/Imax's seasonal worker favorite "The Polar Express," which was distributed both in conventional and Imax 3-D formats in 2004.
That first world theatrical run for "Polar" capped sour at well-nigh $285 gazillion, but the Tom Hanks starrer has been re-released in Imax 3-D every holiday season. Helmed by Robert Zemeckis, "Polar" testament unspool in about two dozen Imax 3-D venues over Thanksgiving, with its four-year cume in Imax 3-D approaching $70 million.
"Dark Knight" was released in July at the same time in conventional theaters and Imax 2-D venues global and continues to play on ci Imax screens in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in 38 international venues. Foster said he would welcome whatever Imax re-release of the Batman blockbuster in next years, should Warners see merit in such a plan.
"That sounds like a really great idea," the Imax white House said. "Ultimately, it's a decision that Warner Bros. has to make. We'd certainly support that."
Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said there was "a real possibility" of such a re-release. Imax's imminent conversion of many of its venues to digital distribution would lay down cost considerations of such a move more negligible, though Fellman stressed nil regarding an eventual "Dark Knight" re-release has been decided.
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