Disney Extends IMAX Partnership, Pivotal Scenes From Star Wars: The Last Jedi Were Filmed in IMAX

IMAX and Walt Disney have collaborated to great success in the past few years, and it appears the partnership is set to continue for many more.

Per an IMAX press release, Disney (and by extension Lucasfilm) have extended their partnership through 2019. This will include the yet to be released Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: Episode IX, as well as the untitled Han Solo anthology story, which has just begun filming. Alex Bregman, President of Walt Disney Studios, is enthused about the continued partnership,

"The Walt Disney Studios strives to bring great stories from visionary filmmakers to life for audiences around the world, leveraging the best technology available to create exceptional theatrical experiences… That’s what IMAX brings to the table, and we look forward to continuing to work with the IMAX team on the unparalleled upcoming slate of films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm."

One of those visionary filmmakers was, of course, J.J. Abrams, who directed 2015’s worldwide blockbuster, The Force Awakens. Abrams used IMAX cameras to film pivotal scenes from that film, and it appears that his successor, Rian Johnson will do the same with The Last Jedi. Of course, no specifics were announced, but just give us one more sweeping shot of Ahch-To as seen in the finale of The Force Awakens, and most fans will likely go home happy.

Of course, great beauty only comes from great pain. IMAX 3D cameras require special rigs to operate and weigh close to 250 lbs. Likewise, IMAX film reels for a standard two and a half hour film, weigh 550 lbs. Hence their limited use within the filmmaking community, on only the largest budget films.

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IMAX’s partnership with Disney, extends to its Marvel slate as well, including films such as Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, as well is Disney’s Pixar animated films.

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