No longer content to just screen movies in the biggest and loudest way, IMAX is looking to expand its TV game too. The company recently announced a new ambitious team-up with Marvel and ABC, for which IMAX theaters will premiere the first two episodes of the new Inhumans television show before it makes a more traditional premiere on the small screen. IMAX is looking to keep that TV train rolling, too, and has announced that it is looking into even more television deals for the near future.
Speaking at the Credit Suisse Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (via THR), IMAX Entertainment CEO Greg Foster announced that they were excited to continue into the world of television and that they were already looking beyond Inhumans for additional deals.
This is at the high end of the range of what we'll be doing, but we're already looking for a second [series]. This is a really exciting opportunity that could blossom into more.
While IMAX has been wowing moviegoers for years with its larger than life screens, the company will now be making a shift to add more varied content their theaters. It seems like IMAX is trying to shift from its specific niche in order to appeal to a wider group of people. Screening TV releases would also help keep profits steady during the slower movie-going periods post-summer, when studios aren't releasing the blockbuster films that look best on IMAX screens.
IMAX's deal with Marvel will help to shape how the company moves forward with its TV screenings. IMAX will exclusively air the first two episodes on September 1, and they will then enjoy a two-week run in theaters; some of the 80+ minutes of footage is being shot with IMAX cameras to make the most of it all. The comic book drama will then premiere its eight-episode run on September 26, reportedly on consecutive Tuesday's to minimize interruptions. IMAX and Marvel are going big on this one, and how well Inhumans performs will likely set a precedent for IMAX's TV releases, as well as Marvel's future on ABC.
The company has thus far found massive success with its smaller-scale TV experiments. Last year, IMAX held special screenings of the final two episodes of Game of Thrones Season 4, with a special sneak peek at Season 5. Those Week-Only screenings were incredibly popular, as evidenced by the excitement of everyone who attended (this writer included) and the big box office numbers it brought in. That's with an insanely popular show like Game of Thrones, though, which may offer hints at the kind of programs IMAX is considering. Company execs have talked in the past about a similar treatment for The Walking Dead, but nothing has since developed.
TV is getting more and more cinematic, with IMAX possibly ushering a new way to digest our favorite shows. There's bound to be more big news down the road so stay with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with new information as soon as it's available.
