3-D Films Galore

"Alice" coming to IMAX in 3-D along with many other films over the next few years.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and IMAX Corporation jointly announced that the new Tim Burton film, Alice in Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, will be released to IMAX theaters simultaneously with the film's wide release on March 5, 2010. The special IMAX 3-D release will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. This is the third film confirmed out of the five-film agreement between IMAX and Disney, which was announced on November 19, 2008.

Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, spoke fondly of the idea of "Alice" in 3-D, "If ever there was a film that cried out to be presented in Disney Digital 3-D and the premium IMAX 3-D format, Tim Burton's fantastic interpretation of 'Alice in Wonderland' is that film. This is going to be an eye-popping cinematic experience as Tim takes moviegoers down the rabbit hole and into the dimensional world filled with incredible characters, sly humor, and wild adventures. Disney's partnership with IMAX is taking shape with two amazing films already on the schedule. We look forward to working with them in bringing exciting new experiences and quality entertainment to IMAX screens around the world."

"We think that Disney's new 'Alice in Wonderland' is exactly the type of 3-D story telling that will resonate with IMAX audiences," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We believe our worldwide commercial theatre network will be approximately 50 percent larger by the time this film is released, giving more and more people a chance to experience the magic of Disney in IMAX."

"'Alice in Wonderland' is a fantastic addition to our 2010 film slate," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Combining a beloved Disney classic re-designed through the imagination of Tim Burton's creative vision with these incredibly outrageous characters and world class actors certainly makes for an event-status film, and we're pleased to add another level of excitement to this highly-anticipated movie. "Visionary filmmaker Tim Burton will put his distinctive touch on the combination live-action and performance capture version of Lewis Carroll's classic tale "Alice in Wonderland." The all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Alan Rickman and Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

Walt Disney Studios announced that they are now releasing the 3-D versions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 together on October 2nd. The double feature will be the first place you'll be able to see the trailer for Toy Story 3 and the only place to see it in 3-D. No word yet if double feature means one movie ticket for both films or if the films will also be released in non-3-D theatres as well.

Disney also announced the 3-D version of Beauty and the Beast (of which the studio showed the opening musical number "Belle" in 3-D at ShoWest) is going to be released on February 12, 2010.

Avatar, the James Cameron brainchild is set to debut in 3-D December 18, 2009. Cameron has had the film in development for about 14 years, in 1995 he wrote a 80-page scriptment for Avatar. It should set the stage for 3-D films and more than likely raise the bar higher then ever thought possible by most viewers. Avatar tells the story of an ex-Marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Giovanni Ribisi.

With many other films coming down the pipeline with a 3-D release. This could be the new wave of cinema or it could just be a flash in the pan if the first few films don't impress movie goers.