IMAX, Tom Cruise Blast Off Together To International Space Station; Actor To Narrate IMAX 3D ‘SPACE STATION’ Film
Multi Academy Award(r) nominee Tom Cruise will narrate the first-ever IMAX(r) 3D space
film, “SPACE STATION” it was announced today by IMAX Corporation. The giant-screen film documents one of
the most challenging engineering feats and important
accomplishments by the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
(NASA) since landing a man on the moon: the construction of the
International Space Station. Scheduled for release in spring 2002,
the film is produced by IMAX Corporation, and presented by Lockheed
Martin Corporation, in co-operation with NASA.
“The minute I saw the amazing 3D footage shot by the astronauts
in space, I knew I had to be involved with this very special film,”
Cruise said. “My family and I have enjoyed IMAX movies for many
years — particularly the ones about the NASA space programs, and
I’m honored to participate with the ‘SPACE STATION’ team in this
historic project that documents space pioneers from 16 nations
working together to help build the International Space Station.”
Twenty-five astronauts and cosmonauts who were trained as
filmmakers used specially-designed IMAX 3D space cameras to shoot
more than 66,000 feet, (or 12 miles) of 65mm film in space between
December 1998 and July 2001. This IMAX adventure takes audiences
on an incredible cinematic journey of discovery from the Kennedy
Space Center to the International Space Station orbiting at the
speed of 17,500 mph, some 220 miles above Earth.
“We’re thrilled that Tom Cruise has agreed to lend his passion
for flight and space, as well as his talents, to this historic
film,” said Greg Foster, IMAX’s president of Filmed Entertainment.
“He brings a special dimension to this exciting project which takes
the IMAX 3D experience to even more spectacular heights. This film
will transport audiences worldwide directly to the Space Station,
the first major international outpost in space, where they will
literally feel like they are in space with the astronauts and
cosmonauts, in a way that only IMAX films can accomplish.”
Paula Cleggett, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for Public
Affairs added: “On behalf of NASA and the men and women who have
been working, and continue to work, so very hard in bringing the
International Space Station to life, I welcome Tom Cruise to the
‘SPACE STATION’ team. His remarkable talent will add tremendously
to this film that will undoubtedly entertain and educate audiences
around the world for many years to come.”
“We’re excited Tom Cruise has agreed to be part of this
first-ever IMAX 3D space film which continues Lockheed Martin’s
long-standing partnership with IMAX and NASA,” said Dennis Boxx,
senior vice president, Corporate Communications, Lockheed Martin
Corporation. “This film, along with the four other space films
Lockheed Martin, NASA and IMAX have partnered on, will help to
educate audiences around the world on both the importance of space
to our planet’s future and the joy of living and working in space.”
One of the world’s true movie stars, Tom Cruise has acted and/or
produced over 30 films including: “Risky Business,” “Top Gun,” “The
Color of Money” and “Rain Man.” He received his first Oscar(r)
nomination for “Born on the Fourth of July” and has gone on to star
in “A Few Good Men,” “The Firm,” “The Mission: Impossible” series,
and “Jerry Maguire,” for which he received his second nomination.
After working on Stanley Kubrick’s last film, “Eyes Wide Shut,” he
earned his third nomination for his work in “Magnolia.” He next
stars for Cameron Crowe in “Vanilla Sky” and then teams with Steven
Spielberg in “Minority Report.”
About the IMAX 3D “SPACE STATION” film:
Early in 1997, IMAX Corporation, in association with Lockheed
Martin Corporation and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), began a program to develop new IMAX 3D
cameras to fly in space initially for use in connection with a film
about the construction of the International Space Station.
“This is the first time that audiences will have the all
encompassing view that only astronauts and cosmonauts are
privileged to experience. The camera actually puts you right there,
with them, moving around and floating in space,” said “SPACE
STATION” Producer Toni Myers. “The IMAX 3D footage captures the
excitement and magnitude of this amazing project being built in
outer space in a way that no other medium can.”
“SPACE STATION” stars astronauts and cosmonauts from the United
States, Canada, Japan, Russia and Europe, who collectively have
spent thousands of hours in space. The IMAX cameras captured seven
Space Shuttle crews and two resident station crews, as they
transformed the International Space Station into a permanently
inhabited scientific research station.
About IMAX Corporation (www.IMAX.com)
IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX; TSE:IMX) and its subsidiaries
comprise one of the world’s leading entertainment technology
companies, with particular emphasis on film and digital imaging
technologies, including giant-screen images, 3D presentations,
digital post-production and digital projection. As of June 2001,
there were more than 225 IMAX theatres operating in 30 countries
around the world. IMAX Corporation is a publicly traded company
listed on both the Toronto and Nasdaq stock exchanges. IMAX(r) is
a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation. More information on the
Company can be found at www.imax.com.
About Lockheed Martin Corporation (www.lockheedmartin.com)
Through its various business programs and services, Lockheed
Martin and its heritage companies have supported America’s space
program from its inception. From the earliest days of rocketry to
the recent and continuing missions to service the Hubble Space
Telescope and International Space Station, to continued
interplanetary exploration, Lockheed Martin’s team of scientists,
engineers and support personnel are committed to furthering our
knowledge of this planet and beyond.
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), headquartered in
Bethesda, Maryland is a global enterprise principally engaged in
the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The
Corporation’s core business areas are: Systems Integration, Space
Systems, Aeronautical Systems, Technology Services and Global
Telecommunications. Employing approximately 130,000 people
worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2000 sales surpassing $25.3 billion.
