IMAX's Newest Space Film to Celebrate Men Who Have Walked on the Moon

TORONTO, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the history of mankind, only 12 men have stepped on the surface of the moon ... Magnificent Desolation is their story. IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSE: IMX), in association with Playtone (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and its principals Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, has begun active development on this unique new 3D film which will allow moviegoers to explore the moon as if they were traveling alongside these 12 extraordinary voyagers. The project will detail what these men saw, heard, felt, thought and did while on the surface of the moon. Magnificent Desolation will be shot in the giant 15/70 format using 3D IMAX cameras and will be released exclusively in IMAX theatres.

From 1969, the year of the first lunar exploration by NASA, to 1972, the last time a manned mission was sent to the moon's surface, only 12 men have experienced the feeling of walking on extra-terrestrial ground. In those three short years, man spent almost 300 hours (approximately 12-1/2 days) exploring and documenting the surface of the moon, and has not returned in over 30 years. Buzz Aldrin, of the Apollo 11 NASA mission and the second man to walk on the moon, uttered the now famous descriptor "magnificent desolation" to express the sensation of being on the moon as well as the landscape he observed.

Magnificent Desolation will break new ground for a "traditional" documentary. Filmmakers Mark Herzog and Mark Cowen (recently nominated for an Emmy Award for We Stand Alone Together: The Men Of Easy Company), will use never before seen photographs by Michael Light (Full Moon, Knopf 1999) as well as transcripts and commentary, played-out in voice-over by actors, recounting the activities on the lunar surface as documented by noted space scholar Eric Jones. The film will also utilize innovative re-creations and/or CGI renditions of the lunar landscape and previously unreleased NASA footage.

"With a history of successful and meaningful space films including IMAX's recent hit, Space Station, which has set box office records, we realize that moviegoers have a consistent appetite to see these unique films in the IMAX medium. Seeing a film in IMAX's 3D format is the closest audiences can get to the moon without actually being there," said Greg Foster, IMAX's President of Filmed Entertainment. "We've been so honored to work with Tom Hanks on the recent launch of Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience and look forward to working with him again on this endeavor, along with Gary Goetzman and the rest of Playtone. We believe that Magnificent Desolation will be a popular addition to our current slate of films, one that should play at both our commercial and institutional theatres for years to come."

About IMAX Corporation

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX(R) and IMAX 3D(R) technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. IMAX has developed revolutionary technology called IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) that will make it possible for any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive family experiences. As of September 2002, there were more than 225 IMAX theatres operating in 30 countries. More than 700 million people have seen an IMAX presentation since the medium premiered in 1970.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR(TM) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at http://www.imax.com.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation

-0- 12/06/2002

/CONTACT: Media - Romi Schutzer of IMAX Corporation, New York, +1-212-821-0144, rschutzer@imax.com; Business Media - Whit Clay of Sloane & Company, New York, +1-212-446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com; Analysts - Stephen G. Abraham of IMAX Corporation, New York, +1-212-821-0140, sabraham@imax.com; Entertainment Media - Al Newman of Newman & Company, Los Angeles, +1-818-784-2130, asn@newman-co.com /

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