The first HDR by Barco-equipped theater outside the U.S. is set to open Nov. 22 at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, with Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II.”
When “Gladiator II” opens on that date in the U.S., the film will also play in the five U.S. theaters currently equipped with HDR by Barco as part of the pilot program for the new HDR-capable projection system. At Cineworld Leicester Square, HDR by Barco will be offered in the Superscreen auditorium, which is also receiving a new Harkness Hugo Screen as part of the installation.
“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Barco and introduce their revolutionary HDR technology to our Superscreen at Cineworld Leicester Square,” said Javier Sotomayor, president of Cineworld International, in a statement. “As the first location outside of the U.S. to feature this cutting-edge format, we’re excited to offer London audiences an enhanced, brighter and deeply immersive film experience, starting with the epic ‘Gladiator II.'”
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Gerwin Damberg, executive vice president of cinema for Barco, said Cineworld Leicester Square is “one of London’s most iconic theaters, making it the perfect first international venue for HDR by Barco. We extend our gratitude to Paramount Pictures for their continued collaboration; ‘Gladiator II’ is a sweeping epic that truly shines in Barco’s HDR on the big screen, [bringing the] creative vision of filmmakers to life.”
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“Gladiator II” is the sixth release of the HDR by Barco pilot program, joining Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment’s “Transformers One,” Paramount’s “Smile 2,” Dreamworks Animation and Universal’s “The Wild Robot,” Warner Bros.’ “Joker: Folie À Deux” and Amazon MGM Studio’s “Red One.”
In cooperation with AMC Theatres, B&B Theatres and Regal Cinemas, HDR by Barco is available in the U.S. at AMC Americana at Brand 18 in Glendale, AMC Barrywoods 24 in Kansas City, B&B Theatres Red Oak 12 in Dallas, Regal Dania Pointe, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale and Regal Times Square in New York.
The pilot program runs thru the end of the year in advance of HDR by Barco’s commercial launch in 2025. The new laser projectors are based on the company’s proprietary “Lightsteering” technology, which, simply put, allows the projector to redistribute light in such a way as to give movies more range between the brightest highlights in sunny scenes and the deepest black tones in scenes shot in dimmer light.
