Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced plans to install 13 new RealD digital 3D systems at Marcus Theatres locations throughout the Midwest. The company plans to install the 13 additional digital 3D systems in time for the March 27th opening of DreamWorks Animation’s first 3D release, Monsters vs. Aliens. Advance 3D tickets for Monsters vs. Aliens will go on sale March 13 at all participating Marcus Theatres 3D locations. With the addition of the 13 digital screens, Marcus Theatres will offer digital 3D at 27 of its locations in seven states.
Bruce J. Olson, president of Marcus Theatres, said digital 3D is a growing force in the industry. “With up to 14 digital 3D films scheduled for release in both calendar 2009 and 2010, this powerful technology has promising revenue potential. We are very encouraged by attendance trends and digital 3D’s success to date has had a positive impact on our box office.”
“The digital 3D experience is a much more dynamic form of movie entertainment. Studios are dramatically improving the quality and making the experience even more interactive with outstanding graphics and life-like images that engage the viewer. Audiences are delighted by the sensory experience of being enveloped into the motion picture,” added Olson.
“The performance of films shown in RealD 3D is a bright spot for the entertainment industry, as the box office for 3D films has performed up to six-times better than the 2D versions of the same film,” said Michael V. Lewis, chairman and CEO of RealD. “We look forward to our expanded relationship with Marcus Theatres as the company capitalizes on the added value of the RealD 3D experience.”
“Upcoming digital 3D titles include Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, A Christmas Carol and Avatar, James Cameron’s first feature film since Titanic,” said Olson. “With the new installations, approximately 90% of the communities we serve will be within a 30-minute drive from a Marcus digital 3D theatre location. Many more Marcus Theatres guests will now be able to enjoy vibrant and realistic 3D images using the latest RealD digital technology.”
Olson said the agreement with RealD provides for the installation of an additional 12 digital 3D systems in the future. The company installed its first 14 digital 3D systems in July 2008.
RealD will provide the equipment and glasses for the 13 new digital 3D systems. The new RealD installations will be introduced at the following Marcus Theatres locations:
New Locations
Wisconsin
Hollywood Cinemas, Grand Chute
South Shore Cinemas, Oak Creek
La Crosse Cinemas, La Crosse
Cedar Creek Cinemas, Wausau
Eastgate Cinemas, Madison
North Shore Cinemas, Mequon
Illinois
Addison Cinemas, Addison
Elgin Theatre, Elgin
Iowa
Coral Ridge, Coralville
Crossroads, Waterloo
Minnesota
Duluth 10 Theatre, Duluth
Nebraska
Twin Creek Cinema, Bellevue
Ohio
Crosswoods Cinemas, Columbus
Existing 3D Locations
Wisconsin
Bay Park Cinemas, Green Bay
Point Cinemas, Madison
Marcus Cinema at the Renaissance, Sturtevant Ridge Cinemas, New Berlin
Marcus Majestic Cinema, Brookfield
Menomonee Falls Cinema, Menomonee Falls
Illinois
Gurnee Cinemas, Gurnee
Orland Park Cinemas, Orland Park
Minnesota
Oakdale Cinemas, Oakdale
Parkwood Cinemas, Waite Park
Nebraska
Lincoln Grand Cinema, Lincoln
Village Point Cinema, Omaha
Ohio
Pickerington Cinemas, Pickerington
North Dakota
Century Cinemas, Fargo