A new report at Nolan Archive has indicated that IMAX is making an upgrade that should make Christopher Nolan quite happy.
They indicate that IMAX are actively developing next-generation 70mm film projectors, a technical upgrade that could officially allow films to exceed a three-hour runtime.
Such a feat is said to be impossible with current 15/70 units due to physical platter limits, which hit a limit in the 150-165 minute range. Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” clocking in at three hours precisely (180 minutes), was able to fit by special technique workarounds that pushed things to the very limit.
With the new tech in place, it could mean something like “The Odyssey” could potentially go over the three-hour mark – but that’s assuming the tech can be installed in enough cinemas in the next seven months before release.
Nolan previously confirmed they shot over 2 million feet/610 km of film for “The Odyssey”. To put that in comparison, an “Oppenheimer” 70mm IMAX print is 18km long.
The first footage from Nolan’s “The Odyssey” arrives on IMAX screens this coming Friday, in a six-minute clip expected to be exclusive to cinemas. A more conventional teaser trailer will arrive the following week, attached to the new “Avatar” film.
