Warner Bros Pictures revealed The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan will be filming four sequences from his second Batman movie using "extremely high resolution IMAX® cameras using the giant 15/70 film format." According to the press release, Nolan will be the first filmmaker to partially shoot a major feature film using IMAX cameras and 35mm cameras.
The footage from both the 35mm cameras and the IMAX cameras will be edited together in the finished film, meaning that if you're watching The Dark Knight in an IMAX theater, the aspect ratio on the IMAX shots will change to 1.43 to 1. Although the technological aspects of the IMAX versus standard format shooting might be difficult to grasp, Warner Bros Pictures promises the end result will be dramatic and worth the extra effort put in by director Nolan.
Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros Pictures was quoted in the press release as saying, "Warner Bros has always been committed to advancing the art of filmmaking. The use of IMAX cameras to film select scenes in an action feature is a great step forward in big-screen entertainment, especially in the talented hands of Christopher Nolan. We can’t wait to see the results, and we think audiences will share our excitement when the movie opens on July 18, 2008.”
Director Christopher Nolan stated, “In continuing the story of such a great icon I’m thrilled to be able to expand the scope of the film, not just in terms of its story, but in giving Batman and the Joker the largest possible canvas on which to face off. No existing technology compares with the IMAX format in terms of its ability to throw the audience into the action, and we’re very proud and excited to use this technology in a way that no one has before.”
Dan Fellman, Warner Bros President of Domestic Distribution, added, “Chris has been a huge fan of IMAX technology for a long time. It will be a groundbreaking event to see him incorporate the use of IMAX cameras into the 35mm presentation of The Dark Knight when it opens nationwide on July 18, 2008, day-and-date with IMAX theatres.”
“Chris shares our vision that the moviegoing experience should transport audiences into the action," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "His innovative use of IMAX cameras to film scenes in The Dark Knight will allow our crystal clear images, 14 thousand watts of digital surround sound, and screens up to eight-stories tall to give Batman fans the most immersive cinematic experience in the world. It is entertainment in a big, big way.”
Warner Bros also revealed the first of the IMAX scenes was shot back in April and included a prologue introducing The Joker. More IMAX sequences will take place over the course of production.
Reprising their roles from Batman Begins are Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Michael Caine as Alfred, Gary Oldman as Lieutenant Jim Gordon, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. Newcomers to the Batman franchise include Heath Ledger as The Joker, Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent (who turns into Batman’s arch-nemeses, Two-Face) and Maggie Gyllenhaal in place of Katie Holmes in the role of Rachel Dawes.
Christopher Nolan is directing the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Jonathan (screenstory by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer). Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan are producing The Dark Knight with Kevin De La Noy, Benjamin Melniker and Michael E Uslan executive producing.
The Dark Knight Official Synopsis
In the new film, Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.
Source: Warner Bros Pictures
