Imax, 20th Century Fox to Jointly Release Tentpoles in China

The Hollywood studio's first long-term deal with the giant screen exhibitor includes 'Deadpool' and 'Independence Day Resurgence.'

Imax and 20th Century Fox have inked their first long-term, multi-picture deal, which includes the two companies agreeing to jointly release movies in China.

Future movies from the Fox slate covered by the agreement include Deadpool, Independence Day Resurgence, Maze Runner: The Death Cure and the studio's untitled Wolverine project.

"Given their exciting upcoming slate, the agreement makes strategic sense for both companies," Imax CEO Richard Gelfond said Friday in a statement.

"We are also excited to be able to release blockbusters together in China, which we think could help Imax and Fox expand our footprint in that market jointly," he added. The first long-term deal was preceded last year with Imax and 20th Century Fox signing an initial four-picture deal that covered DreamWorks Animation's The Penguins of Madagascar, Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings and EuropaCorp's Taken 3.

Imax has since completed a public listing for its China business unit on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as it continues to build out its theater network in China. Gelfond unveiled the new global affiliation deal with Paul Hanneman, 20th Century Fox's president of worldwide marketing and distribution, and Chris Aronson, president of domestic theatrical distribution.