Making IMAX 70MM: The Production Difficulties Explained

One weekend, when Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” was screened in its most revered form—true IMAX 70mm film—it sparked a collective awe. Yet, behind that breathtaking spectacle lies a peculiar logistical puzzle: only forty-one such cinemas exist worldwide, with only twenty-five of them located in the United States. This seemingly enviable rarity begs a fundamental question: why haven’t these exclusive venues multiplied?

The answer, when finally revealed by IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond, is less about market strategy and more about history. Gelfond admitted that the company has not manufactured new IMAX film projectors in roughly fifty years. The current generation of equipment is a patchwork affair, built by finding, retrofitting, and rebuilding components from obsolete parts that no longer exist on the market.

This explains the ongoing scarcity. The original design files for these specialized projectors were created half a century ago and were never properly maintained, meaning IMAX currently lacks a complete manufacturing blueprint. As a result, they are dependent on tracking down broken, abandoned, or forgotten machines to salvage essential parts for refurbishment.

The process of expanding the format was an extraordinary feat of detective work. To increase the number of IMAX 70MM-capable screens from thirty to forty-one took over a year and involved a massive effort dedicated to locating these antiquated projectors and salvaging their components. Furthermore, this expansion required training sixty new projectionists from scratch.

Adding to the complexity are physical limitations. Exhibitors face substantial construction costs when attempting to build auditoriums capable of housing the format’s towering 1.43:1 screens. Even if IMAX could rapidly produce more projectors, there remain few physical venues where they can be installed.

Despite these hurdles, the commitment to the format remains strong. In an official statement, IMAX emphasized its dedication to the community: “Imax exists to help filmmakers bring their visions to life; we would love more Imax 70mm systems out there for the growing number of filmmakers who want to create and present in this one-of-a-kind format.” The company remains focused on exploring new projection technologies while continuing the hunt for additional projectors across its global network.

The excitement around the format continues to build, driven by major cinematic events. The next milestone is already in sight, with the upcoming film “Dune: Part Three” slated to be partially shot using IMAX 70mm cameras, promising even greater spectacle down the line.