RealD Inc. (NYSE: RLD), a leading global licensor of 3D technologies and the world’s most widely used 3D cinema technology, announced today that it has been selected by Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), and Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson to be the 3D technology provider for the world premiere of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
Taking place on November 28, 2012, at the Embassy Theater in Wellington, New Zealand, the highly anticipated film premiere will be presented in RealD High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D). RealD will also provide its award-winning 3D technology for the 65th Royal Film Performance™ featuring “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” on December 12, 2012, at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.
Jackson stated, "I'm delighted that RealD are helping us present ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ with the best possible picture quality around the world. Their commitment to developing technology that improves the 3D cinema experience has my full support."
“Peter Jackson is a visionary filmmaker who has a keen understanding of how advanced technology can blend with storytelling to enhance a movie-goer's experience,” said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman and CEO of RealD. “This is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year and we look forward to such an extraordinary movie making its debut in bright, realistic and immersive RealD 3D.”
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”-themed limited edition, collectible RealD 3D glasses will be provided to attendees at each premiere. Set in a movie-themed dark green color and featuring movie branding, the sure to be in demand eyewear will also be available to moviegoers exclusively in select RealD 3D equipped theatres worldwide beginning opening weekend of the film’s release. RealD 3D glasses are lightweight, recyclable and sealed in individual packaging to ensure they are sanitary and of high quality.
RealD is the world’s most widely used 3D cinema technology with approximately 21,500 screens equipped with RealD 3D by approximately 900 exhibitors in 68 countries around the world (as of the quarter ended September 21, 2012). Capable of delivering twice the light of competing 3D technologies, RealD 3D is HFR compatible and can be shown on screens up to 82 feet (25 meters) wide with a single digital cinema projector.
About The Hobbit Trilogy
A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first of three films from filmmaker Peter Jackson, the Academy Award-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. The screenplay for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released in the U.S. on December 14, 2012, with the second film, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” slated for July 18, 2014.
