Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: A Game-Changer for IMAX

Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey, marks a significant milestone in cinema as it will be shot entirely using IMAX cameras. This groundbreaking approach is a first for a commercial feature and showcases Nolan’s commitment to the big-screen experience.

Nolan’s Passion for IMAX

Known for his love of the big-screen format, Nolan has previously utilized IMAX technology in films like Dunkirk, Interstellar, the Dark Knight trilogy, and Tenet, as well as extensively in Oppenheimer. However, the challenge of shooting an entire feature with the notoriously large and complex IMAX cameras had been a significant hurdle—until now.

Innovation Driven by Success

Following the success of Oppenheimer, which grossed over $190 million on IMAX screens—accounting for about 20 percent of its total earnings—Nolan pushed IMAX to enhance their camera technology. He requested improvements to make the cameras lighter and quieter, as well as to address issues related to scanning and processing the 70mm film stock, facilitating easier viewing of dailies during production.

A Collaborative Effort

“Chris called me up and said if you can figure out how to solve the problems, we will make Odyssey 100 percent in IMAX. And that’s what we’re doing,” stated IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond during the company’s annual press lunch in Cannes. “He forced us to rethink that side of our business, including our film recorders and cameras.”

Enhanced IMAX Technology

The new IMAX cameras are reportedly 30 percent quieter, potentially eliminating those infamous muffled dialogue scenes that have characterized Nolan’s films. Additionally, they are significantly lighter, and new film scanning and processing techniques will enable a faster turnaround for dailies.

Exclusive Access for Nolan

Currently, these advanced IMAX cameras are reserved exclusively for Nolan. However, once he completes The Odyssey, IMAX plans to rent them out to other directors, creating exciting opportunities for future projects.

Growing Demand for IMAX

Gelfond highlighted the record number of films set to release in 2025 that have utilized IMAX cameras or were “filmed for IMAX” using IMAX-approved technology. Notable upcoming titles include Sinners by Ryan Coogler, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning starring Tom Cruise, and Formula One, directed by Joseph Kosinski and featuring Brad Pitt.

Exciting Future Projects

Additionally, Greta Gerwig’s upcoming fantasy film, Narnia, is set to be shot for IMAX, although it remains unclear if she will use IMAX cameras for specific scenes. Netflix has also signed a global deal with IMAX, granting a 28-day exclusive theatrical window for Narnia before its release on the streaming platform.

New Frontiers in Documentary Filmmaking

Gelfond also announced the production of Patrouille de France, the first-ever foreign-language IMAX documentary. This co-production between Federation Studios and Imago Production will chronicle a year in the life of the Patrouille de France, the renowned aerobatics team of the French Air and Space Force, showcasing their selection process, rigorous training, and elite aerial displays. This project follows IMAX’s successful collaboration with The Blue Angels, a documentary about the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squad.

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Persons

Christopher Nolan, Rich Gelfond, Ryan Coogler, Tom Cruise, Joseph Kosinski, Greta Gerwig, Paul Crowder

Company Names

Imax, Federation Studios, Imago Production, Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix

Titles

The Odyssey, Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, Tenet, Sinners, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Formula One, Narnia, Patrouille de France, The Blue Angels

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