As the summer sun blazes across the sky, two of this season’s most anticipated blockbusters – Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One with the indefatigable Tom Cruise – are prepared to lock horns in the battle of IMAX theaters. Given their proximity in release dates – July 12 for Mission: Impossible and July 21 for Oppenheimer – the conflict of cinematic territory is inevitable.
This strife is not just about box office numbers, but also a dispute over the ample space and immersive experience that IMAX theaters offer. Cruise, buoyed by his recent victory with 2022’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, contends that Dead Reckoning Part One deserves its rightful share of the IMAX spotlight. However, Oppenheimer, favored by the entertainment technology giant, is set to dominate the IMAX screens for a comfortable three-week stint.
A Bone of Contention: IMAX Screen Time
Fans of the adrenaline-charged Mission: Impossible franchise have a scant nine days to witness the latest exploits of super-spy Ethan Hunt on the imposing IMAX screen. The brief window has reportedly sparked ire in Cruise, who claimed that IMAX would lose substantial revenue by shortchanging Dead Reckoning Part One.
Cruise’s sentiments stem from a belief that he has been sidelined by the company. This notion is especially poignant considering the claim that Top Gun: Maverick “saved” the cinema industry in the previous year. Generating over $1.4 billion globally, with IMAX screenings contributing $110 million, the Top Gun sequel undeniably reanimated the box office.
The allure of extending Mission: Impossible 7’s presence on IMAX screens is understandable. Cruise is betting on Dead Reckoning Part One being a bigger hit than Top Gun: Maverick, as each sequel in the Mission: Impossible franchise has showcased increasing ambition and daring.
Raising the Stakes: Unmatched Action
Mission: Impossible 7’s promotional materials highlight Cruise’s daredevil stunts, further raising the stakes. From motorcycle cliff dives and high-speed train fights to speed flying close to rocky terrain, the movie promises a thrilling ride. Cary Elwes, featuring as a new character in the franchise, dubs it as the “biggest action blockbuster of all time,” reinforcing Cruise’s desire to see their collective hard work lauded on the IMAX screen.
IMAX’s Affinity for Nolan
Despite Cruise’s grievances, IMAX remains steadfast in its decision to prioritize Oppenheimer. IMAX CEO, Rich Gelfond, expressed his regret over the inability to accommodate both films equally, while highlighting the unique relationship between Nolan and IMAX.
Nolan’s reverence for IMAX technology, and its pivotal role in bringing his visionary narratives to life, has earned him a special place in the company’s heart. This is where the cinematographic approach of the two films diverges. Dead Reckoning Part One did utilize IMAX cameras, but the Z CAM E2-F6 was primarily employed to capture the exhilarating action scenes.
Contrastingly, Nolan stuck to IMAX 65mm film stock for Oppenheimer, with parts of the film shot with an IMAX black and white camera – a first in the industry. His consistent use of IMAX cameras for his influential films such as The Dark Knight, Interstellar, and Dunkirk has garnered Nolan immense respect and, consequently, a higher priority status with IMAX.
The IMAX Advantage: Nolan’s Perspective
The soon-to-be-released Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role, and supported by a stellar cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh, has also benefited from Nolan’s unwavering commitment to IMAX.
Nolan attests to the unique characteristics of IMAX technology, claiming that the “sharpness and the clarity and the depth of the image is unparalleled,” making it feel like 3D without the glasses. This enables the audience to fully immerse themselves in the world of the film.
In the end, as Mission: Impossible 7 and Oppenheimer prepare to debut on the grandest scale, it appears that Nolan’s steadfast loyalty to IMAX is rewarded with primacy in this summer’s biggest blockbuster showdown. Come July 21, 2023, audiences can experience the inception of the atomic bomb, as captured through the lens of IMAX cameras, with the release of Oppenheimer.
In Conclusion
This tussle between two summer blockbusters underscores the significance of the IMAX experience in the film industry. While it is disheartening that all films cannot enjoy equal billing, it also accentuates the competitive landscape of modern cinema. Regardless of this corporate decision, both films are bound to bring unparalleled excitement and adrenaline to theaters worldwide. The audience will be the ultimate judge of the spectacle each movie presents.
