LOS ANGELES, July 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Warner Bros. Pictures' highly-anticipated next installment of the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will cast its spell in IMAX when it opens in a record 126 IMAX? theatres worldwide today and throughout the weekend. Strong ticket pre-sales at many IMAX theatres across North America are resulting in sold out shows throughout the opening weekend and some theatres are adding additional shows to accommodate the high demand. The film is also scheduled to open in 17 additional international locations in the coming weeks. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience? using IMAX DMR? (Digital Re-Mastering) technology.

In addition to being digitally re-mastered into IMAX's 2D format, the film's finale has been digitally converted into An IMAX 3D Experience? with IMAX Corporation's live-action 2D to 3D conversion technology. The combination of IMAX's unique theatre geometry and size, multi-channel digital surround sound and IMAX's powerful projector makes IMAX? 3D the most immersive cinematic 3D ever created.

"Releasing this Harry Potter film in a record number of North American theaters is a testament to our belief in this movie and the strength of this property," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix carries on the tradition of this amazing series and we are thrilled to be able to bring it to theatergoers in both conventional and IMAX theaters - with the special 3D finale."

"This is the largest simultaneous release in IMAX's 40-year history, and we are delighted to reach this milestone with our partners at Warner Bros. Pictures," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Consumer demand for blockbusters in IMAX has contributed to the growth of the IMAX theatre network, and that growth enables us to share this next exciting installment of the Harry Potter film series with more moviegoers worldwide."

"Harry Potter is truly a global phenomenon, and we are excited to offer to international audiences a new way to experience the series with the finale of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix presented in IMAX 3D," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"We are very excited to offer fans of Harry Potter a chance to get transported directly into Hogwarts to experience the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione in a completely unique first-person way," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Through the magic of IMAX and the vision of David Yates and his crew, moviegoers will already feel as is if they are part of the movie, and we are thrilled to treat them to an even more immersive experience with the finale of the film converted into IMAX 3D."

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