On the heels of the colossal domestic opening of Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel, the Russo brothers and IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced that Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2, the two-part installment to the global blockbuster franchise, will be shot in their entirety using IMAX® and ARRI’s next generation revolutionary 2D digital camera – a joint customized digital version of ARRI’s new large format Alexa 65. The two-part Avengers saga marks the first time a Hollywood feature film will have been shot completely using IMAX® cameras and will feature IMAX’s exclusive aspect ratio, providing moviegoers a uniquely immersive experience.
Prior to filming Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2, Joe and Anthony Russo, who also directed Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” will use the IMAX/ARRI 2D digital camera for select action sequences on the forthcoming Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” which will release in IMAX® theatres in May of 2016.
Joe and Anthony Russo stated, “The intent with the Infinity War films is to bring 10years of accumulative storytelling to an incredible climax. We felt that the best way to exploit the scale and scope required to close out the final chapter of these three phases, was to be the first films shot entirely on the IMAX/Arri Digital camera.”
“Over the years, IMAX has had the incredible good fortune to work with some of the world’s finest, most talented filmmakers, who continue to push the envelope both technically and creatively,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We could not be more excited to deepen our partnership with Joe and Anthony Russo, a pair of filmmakers we believe are next-generation trailblazers. Marvel’s Avengers franchise has become a global phenomenon and to have it pay off in this epic way using the IMAX/ARRI digital camera is the very definition of event movie-going.”
The next-generation 2D digital camera – co-developed by IMAX and ARRI – is meant for use by today’s leading filmmakers working in the IMAX® format. The joint solution is designed as a complementary tool to IMAX’s high-resolution capture technologies – including its 3D digital and 15perf / 65mm film cameras. Moreover, IMAX worked with ARRI to achieve the highest level of digital image capture for playback on IMAX’s xenon and new laser projection systems.
IMAX recently began rolling out its next-generation laser projection system, with more than 71 laser system deals signed globally to date. Such iconic venues to feature the new system include the newly retro-fitted Airbus IMAX Smithsonian Theatre at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA ., and Seattle’s Boeing IMAX Theatre at Pacific Science Center, both of which re-opened in time for the release of Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” – the first film to be re-mixed for IMAX’s new 12 channel sound system at these IMAX with laser locations.
Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1” is slated for release in IMAX theatres on May 4, 2018; “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2” will open on May 3, 2019.
The IMAX® 3D release of Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2 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.
Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely will follow Captain America as they head to Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1” and “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2”!
The duo behind the screenplays for Marvel’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and “Captain America: Civil War” will once again team with directors Joe and Anthony Russo for the two-part climax to Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1” will hit theaters May 4, 2018, with the second part following on May 3, 2019.
“Chris and Steve have been an integral part of the Marvel family since the early days of Phase 1, and their work speaks for itself,” said Producer Kevin Feige. “We couldn’t be more excited to have them with us to help guide the Avengers through their biggest story yet.”
In addition to writing all three films in Marvel’s Captain America franchise, Markus & McFeely also created “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” which premiered earlier this year on ABC, and co-wrote Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World.” Beyond their work for Marvel, Markus and McFeely also wrote “Pain & Gain,” “You Kill Me,” and “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.”