IMAX® Continues Roll-Out Of Its Next-Generation Laser Projection System At The Smithsonian And Pacific Science Center

NEW YORK, May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced it is launching its new laser projection system in the Airbus IMAX Theater at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., and in the Boeing IMAX Theater at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington on May 1 – just in time for the release of Marvel's highly anticipated film, Avengers: Age of Ultron. The ground-breaking technology will provide audiences at the theatres with unparalleled brightness, contrast, color and sound.

Today's announcement brings IMAX's laser network to four - including Cineplex's Scotiabank theatre in Toronto and The TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. In collaboration with the filmmakers and Marvel, Avengers: Age of Ultron will mark the first film to be re-mixed for IMAX's new 12 channel sound system at these IMAX with laser locations.

"We are pleased that two of our longtime partners – the Smithsonian and Pacific Science Center – will be bringing this cutting-edge laser technology to their prestigious venues," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "We couldn't think of a better film to launch these locations, as well as our first 12-channel sound mix, than Marvel's highly-anticipated Avengers sequel. The feedback and support we have been receiving on the new system from filmmakers, exhibitors and moviegoers have been extremely encouraging and we look forward to continuing our mission to blend art with science to create a unique experience audiences can't find anywhere else."

Zarth Bertsch, Smithsonian's Director of Theaters, added: "IMAX with laser will deliver our visitors at the Airbus IMAX Theater a more immersive and visceral experience, including 3D for the first time, enabling us to show more documentary films and Hollywood blockbusters. We're excited to be the first museum in the world to receive this new technology - continuing our decades-long partnership with IMAX to provide the best educational and entertainment experiences."

Diane Carlson, Pacific Science Center's Vice President Guest Services & Theaters, commented: "Pacific Science Center has partnered with IMAX since 1979 to provide the best presentation in cinema.  They keep innovating and we keep upgrading. IMAX with laser immerses our audiences in the action like never before with brighter, crisper images and the ultimate immersive sound system. The IMAX with laser experience has set the new cinematic standard for excitement and education and we are proud to present it to our community."

Designed from the ground up for IMAX's largest screens, the dual 4K laser projection system is equipped with a new optical engine and suite of proprietary IMAX technologies capable of projecting an image with up to a 1.43:1 aspect ratio with maximum resolution and sharpness, unparalleled 2D and 3D brightness, industry-leading contrast and an expanded color gamut that will allow filmmakers to present more vivid and exotic colors than ever before.

The new system also includes IMAX's next-generation sound technology that delivers even greater power and precision for ultimate audio immersion. It has been upgraded to 12 discrete channels plus sub-bass, and includes additional side channels as well as new overhead channels that will improve the system's ability to position sounds around the audience and further ensure every seat is the best in the house.

IMAX has signed more than 71 laser system deals to date with iconic venues such as AMC Theatres' Lincoln Square 13 (New York City), Universal Citywalk Stadium 19 (Los Angeles) and Metreon 16 (San Francisco) IMAX locations, the Empire Leicester Square IMAX (London), the Darling Harbor IMAX (Sydney), as well as several upcoming Wanda IMAX locations in China.

The IMAX release of Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D 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 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 March 31, 2015, there were 943 IMAX theatres (820 commercial multiplexes, 18 commercial destinations and 105 institutions) in 63 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).

About Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron

Marvel Studios presents "Avengers: Age of Ultron," the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk and Chris Evans as Captain America. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, Stellan Skarsgard as Erik Selvig and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, p.g.a., Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963. Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Patricia Whitcher, Stan Lee and Jon Favreau serve as executive producers. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.  © 2015 MARVEL

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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SOURCE IMAX Corporation

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