'Earth' remake set for IMAX release

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The remake of the Hollywood film classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is to be released in IMAX this December, said IMAX Corp. and Twentieth Century Fox.

Directed by Scott Dickerson and starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, John Cleese and Jaden Smith, the film is to be simultaneously released in both IMAX and conventional theaters Dec. 12.

The movie is a remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot who visit Earth.

"The suspense, action and sheer intensity of 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' is ideally suited to IMAX's immersive format," Bruce Snyder, president of Domestic Distribution for Twentieth Century Fox, said in a statement Monday. "We're very excited to once again expand our relationship with IMAX to offer moviegoers a chance to experience another one of our tent-pole movies in a truly unique and premium way."

"With the ongoing rollout of IMAX digital theaters, we expect that on Dec. 12, the size of our network will be considerably larger than it is today, which is good for IMAX, exhibitors in the IMAX business, our partners at Fox and, of course, moviegoers," added IMAX Chief Executive Officerss Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler.