Director Tim Burton brings his vividly imaginative style to the Roald Dahl classic about eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) and Charlie (Freddie Highmore), a good-hearted boy from a poor family who lives in the shadow of Wonka's extraordinary factory. Long isolated from his own family, Wonka launches a worldwide contest to select an heir to his candy empire. Five lucky children, including Charlie, draw golden tickets from Wonka chocolate bars and win a guided tour of the legendary candy-making facility that no outsider has seen in 15 years. Dazzled by one amazing sight after another, Charlie is drawn into Wonka's fantastic world. The screenplay is by John August.
"We have worked with IMAX on six projects in the past two years, and the box office performance and response from moviegoers has been consistently outstanding for each release," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "With this track record of success, we plan to continue releasing films in IMAX's format day-and-date to capitalize on a new release window and offer audiences a uniquely immersive way to experience our blockbuster pictures. We look forward to working with IMAX on 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and presenting Tim Burton's next masterpiece in IMAX's format."
"Warner Bros. Pictures was one of the first studios to realize the potential of IMAX DMR and we're thrilled to be working with them once again on such a stellar motion picture," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEO's Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Millions of moviegoers around the world have enjoyed Warner Bros. Pictures' releases digitally re-mastered into The IMAX Experience, and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' much like 'The Polar Express,' is exactly the type of family event movie that has proved to be so popular in IMAX's format. We believe this spectacular film will be a terrific summer attraction and a box office draw for the IMAX theatre network."
"'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is a magical story based on a renowned piece of literature from an imaginative filmmaker; it's an ideal IMAX release that will appeal to the diverse venues within the IMAX theatre network, as well as moviegoers of all ages," added Greg Foster, IMAX's Chairman and President of Filmed Entertainment. "The film will be a key title on our 2005 commercial release slate and we're excited to bring it to IMAX theatres."
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY IMAX CORP.
