The Rock, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Ludacris, and Tyrese Gibson heading to Fast and Furious sequel & IMAX theaters

IMAX announced recently that Universal Pictures’ Fast Five will be released to digital IMAX theatres simultaneously with the action-thriller’s wide release on June 10, 2011. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead a reunion of all-stars from every chapter of the Fast and Furious franchise, along with new cast member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in the film being directed by series alumni Justin Lin.

Universal’s partnership with IMAX on Fast Five marks the studio’s return to the growing format. The Academy Award-winning Apollo 13, in 2002 was the first Universal film to utilize the pioneering IMAX DMR technology.

“Fast Five is a perfect film for IMAX,” said Universal’s Adam Fogelson. “The film’s incredible action sequences combined with IMAX’s unmatched quality that allows the action to jump off the screen will provide filmgoers with an optimal theatrical experience.”

In Fast Five, former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) partners with ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) on the opposite side of the law. Dwayne Johnson joins returning favorites Jordana Brewster, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Tego Calderon and Don Omar for this ultimate high-stakes race.

Since Brian and Mia Toretto (Brewster) broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he’s not the only one on their tail.

Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) never misses his target. When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them. But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first.