IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that The Dark Knight Rises generated strong second weekend global box office results of approximately $15 million in 479 IMAX theaters worldwide over the weekend of July 29, bringing the film's global IMAX cumulative box office to date to approximately $52 million.
Domestically, the film grossed an estimated $62 million, of which approximately $9 million was generated in 332 IMAX theaters. Internationally, the film earned approximately $6.4 million in 147 IMAX theaters, bringing IMAX's international total to $14.2 million.
"We've crossed the $50 million mark in the fastest time ever with The Dark Knight Rises, lifted, in part, by exceptional international box office," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Audiences are clearly seeking out and embracing the film the way it was meant to be seen - in IMAX. We are pleased by the second-weekend results and believe the film will continue to have the legs we anticipated."
"This was an outstanding second weekend," said Greg Foster, IMAX chairman and president of Filmed Entertainment. "We are extremely gratified Warner Brothers and Christopher Nolan chose to partner with us again and are equally pleased fans around the world are recognizing IMAX is the optimal way to experience the epic final film of the Dark Knight trilogy."
While making the 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan was the first filmmaker to use IMAX((R) )cameras in a major motion picture release. Nolan employed the extremely high-resolution cameras even more extensively on The Dark Knight Rises: The IMAX Experience((R) )--including the film's prologue -- incorporating a record of more than an hour of footage filmed with IMAX cameras. These specific sequences, which will expand to fill the entire screen exclusively in IMAX, will deliver unprecedented crispness and clarity and a truly immersive experience for moviegoers.
Sequences filmed in 35mm have been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience((R)) with proprietary IMAX DMR((R)) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
Christopher Nolan directed the film from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven produced the film, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers and Jordan Goldberg co-producing. The film is based upon characters created by Bob Kane and published by DC Comics.
Behind the scenes, "The Dark Knight Rises" reunited the director with several of his longtime collaborators, including director of photography Wally Pfister, production designers Nathan Crowley and Kevin Kavanaugh, editor Lee Smith, and costume designer Lindy Hemming. In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould supervised the visual and special effects, respectively. The music is composed by Hans Zimmer.
The Dark Knight Rises has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.
