Variety is reporting that Disney and Warner Bros. have come to an agreement that would allow the two films to split Imax showtimes this weekend. This is great new for Disney as
The Avengers had been scheduled to get the boot from 200 of the 275 digital-only Imax screens. The film has pulled in record breaking $15.3 million from Imax sales just this past weekend.
Originally, "Avengers" was slated to lose 200 of those Imax locations to "Dark Shadows," as dictated by a pre-existing three-year pact inked between Imax and Warners back in April 2010. Prior to today's agreement, "Dark Shadows" had secured 225 Imax locations all to itself from varying U.S. markets -- some better than others. By sharing screens, the film now has 300 runs in all Imax DMAs, with approximately 25 print-only locations to itself. ("Avengers" is a digital-only release.)
It's a win-win … win situation for Disney, Warners and individual exhibitors, who kickstarted the screen-sharing talks after "Avengers" posted a staggering $207.4 million overall domestic bow. And as a marquee event, "Avengers" simply drives more foot traffic to theaters, which could benefit "Dark Shadows."
Marvel's The Avengers picks up when an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security. And Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. With director Joss Whedon at it's helm, and an ensemble cast including Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Chris Hemsworth (Thor Odinson), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff), Clark Gregg (Agt. Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), with Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Erik Selvig), the film releases worldwide May 4, 2012!