IMAX® Coming To Historic TCL Chinese Theatre

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX; TSX: IMX) and Chinese Theatres LLC today announced an agreement to add an IMAX^® theatre to the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, through an extensive transformation of the landmark site. The addition brings the theatre into the 21^st Century and gives Hollywood its first IMAX^® theatre, providing fans with a movie-going experience that will rival any in southern California. Once complete, this will be IMAX's largest auditorium in the world in terms of seating capacity and its third-largest commercial theatre screen in North America. Closing of the agreement is subject to the issuance of final permits.

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Home to more than 40 of the world's biggest, A-list film premieres per year as well as the celebrated handprint and footprint forecourt, the historic, world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre (www.tclchinesetheatres.com) will undergo its first major makeover in 85 years. The theatre will close for principal construction on May 1 and is expected to re-open to the public in late summer.   

"As we embark on our much-anticipated renovation of the TCL Chinese Theatre, IMAX will play a key role in rejuvenating this historical landmark," said Alwyn Hight Kushner, TCL Chinese Theatre President and C.O.O. "We believe that IMAX's unparalleled entertainment technology, coupled with its blockbuster portfolio of films, will usher in a new era of movie-going at our famed theatre that will strengthen our business by delivering a premium viewing experience for our guests.  The recent awarding of naming rights to TCL, the inclusion of TCL technology in many areas of the theatre complex and the addition of IMAX will all play decisive roles in further modernizing this beloved historical landmark."

"Steeped in Hollywood tradition and history, the TCL Chinese Theatre is arguably one of the most famous movie theatres in the world and we are honored to bring The IMAX Experience^® to this iconic location," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Today's agreement is the perfect marriage of Hollywood history and cutting-edge entertainment technology that will transform the moviegoing experience for guests of the TCL Chinese Theatre for years to come."

The popular handprint and footprint-populated forecourt, adjacent Chinese 6 Theatres and vast upstairs ballroom for parties, known as Grauman's Ballroom, will continue operating normally during construction.

About the Chinese Theatres
Since 1927, The TCL Chinese Theatre has been the home of the most important, star powered red carpet movie premieres and special events, where Hollywood's biggest and brightest talents have come to watch their movies. The most famous movie theatre on the globe is world-renowned for its unique forecourt of the stars, featuring cement hand and footprints of major movie stars, from Marilyn Monroe to Brad Pitt, and numerous stars from all eras of Hollywood. In addition to being a major international tourist destination, TCL Chinese Theatre, and its six adjacent cinemas, the Chinese 6, are everyday working movie theatres, hosting millions of moviegoers year round. The TCL Chinese Theatre was declared a historic-cultural landmark in 1968, and there has always been a restoration program in process to maintain the theatre's beauty. With its current, on-going facelift and new name and new added amenities and event spaces, guided by a new and vigorous ownership team, the TCL Chinese Theatre and its famed "hands and footprints in cement" forecourt will continue to be the preferred location for tourist visits and the entertainment industry's most prestigious red carpet premieres for years to come.

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 Dec. 31, 2012, there were 731 IMAX theatres (598 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 114 institutions) in 53 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).

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.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation