Star Wars: The Force Awakens to show on all IMAX screens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will take over all IMAX large-format screens in North America, it is being reported, as well as most of the IMAX screens abroad. Though it is not the first movie to be given such an honor, it is still a big deal, and is disappointing news for those behind other big films set to premiere in December. The newest Star Wars movie will be arriving on December 18; a portion of it was filmed with IMAX cameras to better leverage the related displays.

The information comes from the Hollywood Reporter, which says that Star Wars: The Force Awakens will likely open on 375 to 400 screens stateside, and will be screened on 400 or more internationally. The precise number of screens isn't yet known, as it hasn't yet been finalized. The movie will play in theaters encompassed by the big franchises — AMC, Cinemark, Regal — and many others.

It has been four years since IMAX made such an exclusive deal for a movie — it had something similar in place for the Hobbit movies, but such an arrangement is atypical. The move isn't surprising, however, given how big Disney anticipates the upcoming Star Wars movie being, and other studios have adjusted and planned around the movie's launch.

For example, "In the Heart of the Sea" will be premiering on December 11, and as such will only be given a week of IMAX screening before Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes over. Not up-to-date with the latest Force news? Hit up the timeline below for the latest details!

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter