Saturday, April 27, 2013

PICTUREHOUSE'S METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER ROCKS IMAX® 3D THEATERS FOR EXCLUSIVE RUN IN NORTH AMERICA BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 27
LOS ANGELES - April 24, 2013 - IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and Picturehouse today announced that Metallica Through the Never, filmmaker Nimród Antal's captivating 3D movie featuring one of music's most enduring and iconic bands, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released wide in North America exclusively into IMAX® theatres for a one-week engagement starting Friday, Sept. 27. The film will expand into additional theatres on Oct. 4.

Starring Metallica, a cast of thousands of their fans and breakout star Dane DeHaan (Chronicle, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Metallica Through the Never is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Nimród Antal (Predators, Kontroll) and produced by former IMAX film producer Charlotte Huggins (Journey to the Center of the Earth). The film marries groundbreaking footage and editing techniques with a compelling narrative, in which a band crew member (played by DeHaan) is sent out on a mission during Metallica's roaring live set in front of a sold-out arena. While on this mission, he unexpectedly has his life turned completely upside down.     

"IMAX!  It doesn't get bigger or cooler than that!" said Lars Ulrich who formed Metallica in 1981 together with James Hetfield. "For four guys in a rock band of average height, to get a chance to unleash their 3D film on IMAX screens the size of buildings across the country is a mind-blowing thought. 'Hey look, Mom, I'm 50 feet tall (finally!)' There is no better way to experience film and when you throw in the spectacle of music and sound this should amount to an unprecedented, unique and truly next level experience."

"The totally immersive experience of IMAX 3D is the perfect complement to Metallica's in-your-face, big and loud performance style," said Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse.  "The combination of the band's music and a strong storyline create a unique cinematic experience for die-hard fans and general moviegoers alike."

"Nimród Antal and Metallica have done a tremendous job capturing the essence of the band's commanding live performances and have created a visual and aural cinematic spectacle," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Entertainment. "We believe the power of The IMAX Experience® will deliver for Metallica fans and ensure they feel every part of this journey."

The IMAX 3D release of Metallica Through the Never will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology.  The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About Metallica
Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 110 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They have scored several multi-platinum albums, including 1991's Metallica (commonly referred to as "The Black Album"), which is the best selling album in history of Soundscan scanning 16 million albums in the United States alone.  Their latest album, Death Magnetic, was certified platinum just six weeks after it debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 Album chart in October 2008. Death Magnetic charted at #1 in 32 countries. Metallica have also garnered numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.  The band recently celebrated its 30th-Anniversary with a week's worth of fan club concerts at the Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, CA.   In 2012, they announced the launch of Orion Music + More, an annual two-day festival curated and headlined by the band.  This past summer, Metallica unveiled a brand new stage in Mexico City that featured iconic elements that spanned its 30-year career.  They played eight shows to nearly 180,000 fans at the Sports Arena in Mexico City.   On June 8th and 9th Metallica will host the second annual Orion Music + More in Detroit, Michigan at Belle Isle.

About Picturehouse
Picturehouse, a New York-based independent film marketing and distribution company, re-opened its doors with founder Bob Berney at the helm in 2013. The company has an exclusive, multi-year output deal with Netflix and its first theatrical release will be Metallica Through the Never,which opens in the U.S. on September 27, 2013. Picturehouse has also acquired U.S. rights to release The Great Gilly Hopkins, currently in pre-production. An adaptation of Katherine Paterson's award-winning young-adult novel, The Great Gilly Hopkins, starring Academy Award ® winner Kathy Bates and Danny Glover, is to be directed by Stephen Herek (101 Dalmatians, Mr. Holland's Opus) from the script by David Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia), and is produced by William Teitler (The Polar Express, What Maisie Knew, Mr. Holland's Opus). 

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined.  Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of Dec. 31, 2012, there were 731 IMAX theatres (598 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 114 institutions) in 53 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® 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/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX 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. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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