Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" Fuels Demand for IMAX 70mm Screenings

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," the first feature film exclusively shot on Imax film cameras, was launched in theaters recently, stirring up a nationwide urge for its experience in true Imax 70mm presentation. Regrettably, only 25 theaters in the U.S. have the capability to display the movie in its original format. Excited patrons resort to lengthy cross-country journeys and life-altering decisions to witness the movie milestone.

According to Richard Gelfond, the CEO of Imax, manufacturing more Imax 70mm screens has certain complications. Despite the raging demand, the issue lies in a lack of new Imax film projectors over the past 50 years, resulting in the refurbishment of existing ones. The intricacy of these specialized film projectors has arisen from various factors such as lost institutional knowledge due to the shift from film to digital projection, discontinuation of replacement parts, and a lack of manufacturing blueprints.

However, with the advent of maverick directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, the film presentation mode, considered a niche experience, has made a surprising comeback. Commenting on the situation, Gelfond stated that although supply of film projectors might be impractical, an expansion is possible.

To handle the imminent demand for "The Odyssey," Imax had previously embarked on massive efforts to refurbish old projectors, an effort that resulted in a global increase of Imax 70mm locations for the movie. Nonetheless, expanding Imax 70mm has its unique challenges. High construction costs deter exhibitors from creating more cinemas capable of accommodating Imax's towering 1.43:1 screens. At present, the future of Imax 70mm will largely depend on Hollywood filmmakers' appetite to use the technology and audiences' enthusiasm for big-budget screenings.