In an announcement today IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have revealed a new virtual reality (VR) co-financing and production agreement, seeing the development of three experiences based on some of the latters upcoming blockbuster films.
Of the three, two have been officially unveiled, Justice League and Aquaman. One title will be released each year, with Justice League VR set to arrive in late 2017. The releases will receive an exclusive window in IMAX VR centres after which home and mobile VR platforms will be added.
“It’s fitting that with IMAX and Warner Bros.’ shared history of launching Hollywood movies in IMAX theatres, today we’re entering into our first studio deal to bring original VR content to the multiplex,” said IMAX Corp. CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “A key component of our vision for VR is to help usher in the first wave of high-end blockbuster-based content. Justice League and Aquaman feature some of the most beloved characters on the planet, providing iconic properties to launch this effort. This type of premium content will introduce audiences to virtual reality in standalone and multiplex-based IMAX VR centres as well as other platforms.”
“We are excited to be partnering with IMAX to develop and deliver premium VR experiences, and believe that capitalizing on Justice League and Aquaman characters from our well-known DC properties will broaden the appeal of this fast growing technology,” said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Home Entertainment Distribution. “Using content and characters from these upcoming films and incorporating creative direction from some of Hollywood’s most innovative filmmakers will help us to bring a groundbreaking experience to audiences and consumers who are hungry for a cutting-edge virtual reality experience.”
IMAX has been getting more involved with VR as the technology progresses. In January the company launched its IMAX VR Centre in Los Angeles, California, with plans to open at least five additional centres in New York City, California, the UK and Shanghai in the coming few months.
The company also created the IMAX VR Fund in 2016, a $50 million USD VR fund to help finance the creation of at least 25 experiences over the next three years.
As VRFocus learns more about IMAX and Warner Bros. VR content we#ll let you know.