In an interview with Screen Daily at the Cannes Film Festival, IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond spoke on a range of topics related to IMAX’s theatrical business. They included a partnership with Christopher Nolan on his upcoming film THE ODYSSEY, the exclusive run at IMAX theatres of Greta Gerwig’s NARINA, and the impact that Chinese tariffs could have on IMAX theatres, given its large presence in China.
Regarding Nolan’s epic feature THE ODYSSEY, Gelfond confirmed that the movie will be filmed in its entirety using IMAX equipment. He noted that Nolan had originally wanted to do so with OPPENHEIMER, but that the “technology was not there yet” to support the quick turnaround production schedule of certain scenes. THE ODYSSEY is budgeted at $250 million to produce, and is scheduled for a theatrical release beginning on July 17th, 2026.
Gelfond also addressed its partnership with Netflix to begin the release of Greta Gerwig’s NARNIA with a two-week, exclusive theatrical run at IMAX locations during Thanksgiving 2026. This comes despite Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ controversial comments that the theatrical experience is an “outmoded idea for most people.” Gelfond provided a counterpoint by saying that IMAX screens are “so differentiated from the streaming experience, I don’t think we’re concerned that the streaming window is going to cannibalize.”
Gelfond also addressed the hot topic of tariffs, particularly a 100% duty on the import of any film shot outside the U.S. The CEO projected calm by stating that he “never thought that was likely to take effect [because] tariffs apply to goods [and film] is software.” IMAX has just completed a record-setting first quarter, in large part due to its success in international markets.
