Zack Snyder’s action epic Sucker Punch to be released in IMAX 3D

Sucker Punch T-shirt given out during Watchmen DVD panel by director Zack Snyder
Sucker Punch T-shirt given out during Watchmen DVD panel by director Zack Snyder

IMAX, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that director Zack Snyder’s next big action thriller Sucker Punch 3D will be released to IMAX theatres simultaneously with the film’s domestic release on March 25, 2011. The film is part of the previously announced agreement between Warner Bros. and IMAX to release up to 20 Warner Bros. films in IMAX’s format over the course of the next three and a half years, from 2010 through 2013. Sucker Punch 3D will be digitally re-mastered into the incredible image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with IMAX DMR technology.

“As we have seen in the past, Zack Snyder’s films are ideally suited to IMAX’s powerful format, and we’re very excited to add Sucker Punch 3D to our growing lineup of IMAX releases,” said Warner Bros.’ President Dan Fellman.

“Zack Snyder’s unique vision and successful track-record makes him an important member of the IMAX family and we’re looking forward to his next film, which we believe is a great addition to our line up of exciting Warner Bros. films,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “Our digital theatre system has accelerated the growth of our theatre network and provides us with significant flexibility in the release and programming schedule in our theatres, which enables us to offer this film to even more fans of Zack Snyder and IMAX.”

“Zack Snyder embraces the IMAX format in a truly unique way, and by way of his past IMAX releases, he has created his own unique brand of The IMAX Experience that audiences love,” said Greg Foster of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “This is a very welcome addition to our Warner Bros. slate of “all-star” titles and we’re looking forward to opening day next March.”

Sucker Punch stars Carla Gugino, Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone and Abbie Cornish in the 1950s-set tale of a girl (Browning) confined to a mental institution by her evil stepfather, who intends to have her lobotomized in five days. She and her friends enter an alternate reality where they begin planning an escape.

Gugino will play Mrs. Schultz, an adult figure in the institution.

The film reunites Gugino with Snyder, who she worked with on Watchmen. Sucker Punch is Zack Snyder’s first film project not based on previous material, but rather an original idea that he came up with, and he will produce the film with his wife and producing partner, Deborah Snyder.