Disney and IMAX Extend Relationship Through 2019
The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and IMAX Corp. (IMAX) are extending their long-standing relationship, announcing the two will keep their distribution agreement intact through 2019. The deal bodes well for both companies given Disney’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange,” and “The Jungle Book” were among the top 10 grossing films for IMAX last year.
In addition to a slew of Disney films being shown on IMAX’s huge movie screens, the two said they will collaborate to create exclusive IMAX marketing materials for films captured using IMAX camera. Disney’s upcoming “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will include scenes that were shot using IMAX cameras.
“Disney is at the top of its game, offering fans around the world highly original and diverse movie-going entertainment, which aligns perfectly with The IMAX Experience® as the most captivating and unique theatrical presentation,” said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment, in a press release announcing the deal. “We are particularly excited to announce Rian Johnson’s use of IMAX cameras on Star Wars: The Last Jedi as we embark on a year that will feature more films with IMAX differentiation than ever before in our history.” As previously announced, Disney’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and an untitled Avengers sequel will be shot in their entirety with IMAX cameras.
Coming Soon to IMAX Screens
The Disney films that will show on the IMAX screens include also Lucasfilm’s upcoming Indiana Jones and Han Solo films films and “Star Wars: Episode IX”; Marvel’s next two Avengers sequels; Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Mulan”, and Pixar’s “The Incredibles 2” and “Toy Story 4,” plus a sequel to “Wreck-It Ralph.”
While there are concerns about some Disney-owned properties, including ESPN, the company’s movie arm, Walt Disney Studios, had a record-setting 2016 with the company surpassing $3 billion in U.S. box office sales. From Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016, the Burbank, Calif.-based company, which owns Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation, Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Animation Studios, also exceeded the $7 billion global box office benchmark, reaching $7.61 billion in global ticket sales.