LOS ANGELES, Sep 15, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that Underworld Awakening, the fourth installment in the popular supernatural-action franchise produced by Lakeshore Entertainment along with creator Len Wiseman, will be released to IMAX(R) digital theatres simultaneously with the film's worldwide release Jan. 20, 2012. The latest chapter in the Underworld saga marks the return of Kate Beckinsale in the title role of Selene and is the first of the series to be filmed in 3D and released in IMAX.

"Underworld is one of Screen Gems' most important franchises, so it's important to us to present the movie as its fans want to see it: on the IMAX screen," said Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing.

"The Underworld franchise has established a dedicated fan following and we think Underworld Awakening will serve as a terrific kick off to our robust 2012 film slate," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of Underworld Awakening will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (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.

About Underworld Awakening

Underworld Awakening brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein. The film is produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Len Wiseman, and Richard Wright. Len Wiseman wrote the initial story for Underworld Awakening, the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise, which is based on characters created by Kevin Grevioux and Wiseman. The screenplay was written by John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczyinski, Allison Burnett and Wiseman.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Lakeshore Entertainment

Lakeshore Entertainment is one of the leading independent production, finance and international sales and distribution companies. Founded in 1994 by Chairman and CEO Tom Rosenberg, Lakeshore has produced more than 60 films including the Academy Award(R) winning MILLION DOLLAR BABY as well as RUNAWAY BRIDE, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, the UNDERWORLD franchise, EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, CRANK, THE GIFT, AUTUMN IN NEW YORK and ARLINGTON ROAD. Lakeshore produced UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, starring Michael Sheen and Rhona Mitra, CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE, starring Jason Statham, and THE UGLY TRUTH starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. Lakeshore recently released THE LINCOLN LAWYER, starring Matthew McConaughey. Currently Lakeshore is in post-production on ONE FOR THE MONEY, starring Katherine Heigl, and GONE starring Amanda Seyfried, with both films and UNDERWORLD AWAKENING to be released in 2012.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theaters deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX(R), IMAX 3D(R), and IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R).

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2011, there were 560 IMAX theatres (417 commercial multiplex, 25 commercial destination and 118 institutional) operating in 46 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), Experience It In IMAX(R), An IMAX 3D Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) 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).

The IMAX Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6469

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on 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. Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, including the length and severity of the current economic downturn, the opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by the Company, competitive actions by other companies, the performance of IMAX DMR films, conditions in the in-home and out-of home entertainment industries, the signing of theatre system agreements, changes in law or regulations, conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry, the failure to convert theatre system backlog into revenue, new business initiatives, investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, foreign currency fluctuations and the Company's prior restatements and the related litigation. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: IMAX Corporation

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