Megascreen theater company IMAX Corp. said Tuesday it will expand in Japan in the latest in a series of international deals inked recently amid growing demand for 3-D movies following the success of the science fiction blockbuster "Avatar."
The Canada-based company, along with local partner Tokyu Recreation, will add five of its giant 3-D equipped screens in Japan over the next two years. Since Tokyu Recreation opened four IMAX theaters last year, box-office receipts have exceeded expectations and convinced the company to build more.
"Performance has been really strong," said IMAX Chief Executive Richard Gelfond. "It's probably the strongest start that we've had in any territory in our history."