The title of this release is longer than the article . . . Disney to Release Newest Animated Feature in REAL D Cinema Following Historic Success of ”Chicken Little” in 3-D; REAL D Cinema Presentation of ”Chicken Little” Gains Momentum with Cumulative 3-D Box Office Surpassing $7 Million Thanksgiving Weekend . . . but in essence it goes on about how Disney’s digital 3D program using Real-D’s technology is working out really well.

REAL D, the leader in the delivery of premium 3-D experiences, announced today that Disney’s newest animated feature, “Meet the Robinsons,” will be presented in REAL D Cinema starting December 2006. This announcement follows the historic success of REAL D Cinema’s presentation of Disney’s “Chicken Little” in 3-D, which has generated more than $7 million through Thanksgiving weekend – nearly three times the screen average of 2-D – since opening Nov. 4. REAL D also announced today plans to expand to Japan with the installation of the first two REAL D Cinema screens at Oriental Land Company’s AMC Ikspiari 16 and Warner Mycal’s Tama for the presentation of “Chicken Little” starting Dec. 23, 2005. “Meet the Robinsons” is the latest feature film to be added to the growing roster of REAL D Cinema presentations. Earlier this year, Columbia Pictures announced plans to present “Monster House” in REAL D Cinema starting July 21, 2006. “The success of ‘Chicken Little’ in 3-D validates the success of the REAL D Cinema format,” said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman, REAL D. “We look forward to continuing to work with Disney and other studios, along with our exhibition partners, to make digital 3-D a mainstream reality for theater audiences worldwide.” “The tremendous performance of ‘Chicken Little’ in 3-D proves how dramatically REAL D Cinema is changing the theatrical landscape,” said Chuck Viane, President, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. “We’re thrilled with the possibility of amplifying the success of Disney Digital 3-D by delivering ‘Meet the Robinsons’ to hundreds of REAL D Cinema screens next year.” Currently, 89 theaters in the United States, Canada and Mexico are equipped with REAL D Cinema systems. REAL D will announce additional exhibition partners in the coming months as the company works towards its goal of equipping more than 1,000 screens globally over the next two years to accommodate the future release of 3-D content, including motion pictures and live events. To locate a REAL D Cinema, please go to www.REALD.com.

With so few theatres, good luck finding one near you.

While the press release implies the whold digital 3D system is an explosion of success, note the number of theatres is still very small and expansion is very very slow. So, the per-screen gross may be three times higher than regular screens but I would suggest it should be much higher given the scarcity effect. They need to pump up the numbers and get wider penetration to have a real indication of how it’s going. IMAX’s first outing with Polar Express it is not.

Of course, if King Kong is presented this way the numbers and demand will be incredibly high . . . assuming the system lives up to promise (Jackson has ordered a transfer to 3D but he is holding off on the decision on whether or not to release it that way until after the 2D release has been out for awhile – smart in that he can then sell the same film twice).

My impression from discussions with people who know is that this is actually a very strong system and that the 3D comes out fine with much less ghosting than even IMAX presentations.

However, most of the planet can’t afford the system and/or they’re slow to penetrate foreign markets. I would think the first screen here would be in Taipei but who knows when or if that is even going to happen. No peeps or chitters from anyone here on that.