GAME OF THRONES Goes IMAX
Game of Thrones will be the first television series to hit the big screen in a new deal between HBO and IMAX.
An exclusive trailer for season five, along with the final two season four episodes, will get an unprecedented theatrical run January 23-29 at 150 theaters across the United States. The show will be remastered for IMAX presentation.
“The cinematic brilliance and grand scope of the series is perfect for the IMAX format,” said Pamela Levine, chief marketing officer at HBO. “We are always looking to provide fans with new and exciting ways to experience the show and viewing two key episodes, along with the new trailer, on such an impressive platform makes for a great event.”
“IMAX always seeks innovative ways to provide moviegoers a unique and differentiated experience and today’s partnership with HBO and ‘Game of Thrones’ achieves just that,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “This deal also furthers our efforts to offer exhibitors the opportunity to participate in alternative forms of content in a new and exciting way.”
This is part of IMAX’s plan to branch out into a variety of content distribution, moving beyond typical Hollywood programming. Last year, the company signed a deal with Netflix to get a day-and-date component for the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel.
Given that the fourth season is already pulling material from the fifth book, and that author George R.R. Martin still has to finish two more books, many have been concerned that the television series will outpace the book series. But showrunner and co-creator D. B. Weiss says the current plan is for the show to go for perhaps seven or eight seasons, and that they have a plan. “It doesn’t just keep on going because it can. I think the desire to milk more out of it is what would eventually kill it, if we gave in to that.”
The fifth season will premiere in April.
