New 'Transformers', 'Mission: Impossible' head to Imax

TORONTO  - Imax Corp. has booked four upcoming tentpole films from Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures for its 2011 slate.

The pact with Paramount will see Toronto-based Imax screen super-sized versions of "Super 8," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" and "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn."

Each movie will bow worldwide on Imax screens day-and-date with its traditional 35mm release.

"Super 8" will be released on June 10, 2011, with "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" bowing on July 1, 2011.

Paramount will also release "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" on December 16, 2011, while "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" will debut on December 28, 2011 in the U.S. market.

Imax is also releasing three Walt Disney pictures in 2011, as part of a separate pact, and the giant screen exhibitor continues to release Warner Bros. movies as part of a long-standing relationship.

Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures, said consumer demand and the Imax brand prompted the multi-picture output deal with the large format chain.

As part of the agreement, the fourth chapter in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, currently shooting in Vancouver, will feature scenes shot with Imax cameras.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is co-producing "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" with Paramount, and Sony Pictures Releasing International will release and market the picture in most key territories internationally.