Disney held talks with studios on IMAX rival format Infinity Vision, Bloomberg says
In short
Walt Disney has held talks with Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Sony Pictures Entertainment about promoting their films under the Infinity Vision brand, a format positioned as a rival to IMAX, Russian outlets reported, citing Bloomberg. According to Kommersant, about 5,500 screens worldwide already meet the Infinity Vision criteria, three times the entire IMAX network.
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Walt Disney has proposed that other film studios move to a new large-format standard, Infinity Vision, described as the main competitor to IMAX, Russian outlets reported, citing Bloomberg. According to the agency, Disney held closed-door meetings with Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment about promoting their films under the Infinity Vision brand. TASS reported that Disney is in talks to promote the format. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Bloomberg's sources said the studios showed initial interest in the proposal, Kommersant reported, but some of them are waiting to assess the effect of the marketing at the premiere of "Avengers: Doomsday" in December. Experts surveyed by the agency believe it will be hard for Disney to persuade other studios to join the initiative because of their close cooperation with IMAX. Hollywood companies regularly plan release dates based on how many IMAX screens will be available to show their films. [ 3 ]
To receive Infinity Vision certification, halls must meet set criteria, including a screen at least 15 metres wide, laser projection and Dolby 7.1 surround sound. About 5,500 screens worldwide already meet these requirements, which Kommersant said is three times the entire IMAX network. [ 3 ]
According to Bloomberg, as reported by Kommersant, the launch of Infinity Vision is driven by Disney's aim to make up for its lack of exclusive access to IMAX halls during the December holidays. Those venues have been booked in advance for the release of Warner Bros.' "Dune: Part Three", while Disney's new Avengers film opens on the same dates. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Kommersant, citing Bloomberg, reported that experts expect Disney to have difficulty winning over other studios because of their close cooperation with IMAX, around whose screen availability Hollywood companies regularly plan release dates. The report links the effort to Disney lacking exclusive access to IMAX halls over the December holidays.
Key facts
- Disney held talks with Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Sony Pictures Entertainment about promoting their films under the Infinity Vision brand, according to Bloomberg. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Infinity Vision is a format competing with IMAX. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- To be certified for Infinity Vision, halls need a screen at least 15 metres wide, laser projection and Dolby 7.1 surround sound. [ 3 ]
- About 5,500 screens worldwide already meet these requirements, three times the entire IMAX network, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
- Some studios are waiting to assess the effect of the marketing at the December premiere of Disney's "Avengers: Doomsday", according to Bloomberg's sources. [ 3 ]
- IMAX venues over the December holidays are booked in advance for Warner Bros.' "Dune: Part Three", which opens on the same dates as the new Avengers film. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether any of the studios will adopt Infinity Vision. Bloomberg's sources say the studios showed initial interest, but some are waiting to see the effect at the Avengers premiere; no agreement is reported.
- The figure of about 5,500 qualifying screens and the stated motive tied to IMAX bookings for "Dune: Part Three". Reported only by Kommersant, citing Bloomberg; Disney's own comment is not given in the documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports, citing Bloomberg, that Disney is in talks to promote the Infinity Vision format (8 October). [ 1 ]
- RBC reports the talks with Paramount, Universal, Lionsgate and Sony Pictures Entertainment (9 October). [ 2 ]
- Kommersant publishes details on the format's criteria, screen count and the studios' response (9 October). [ 3 ]