J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII has just one sequence shot in IMAX

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Earlier this year Disney and IMAX put a deal together that would see some upcoming films land on those large and lovely IMAX screens. That's how you may have viewed MALEFICENT and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, or how you plan to watch THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and TOMORROWLAND. Also included in the deal was STAR WARS: EPISODE VII; we learned that the film wouldn't just be show on IMAX screen for fun but as J.J. Abrams tweeted, they were going to shoot with the IMAX camera as well.

In a new Variety report about the use of IMAX, they dropped a little nugget:

"'The benefits outweigh the headache of shooting on IMAX cameras,” says Abrams, who used them for a single sequence in 'Star Wars.' 'The opportunity to have an action sequence for this movie done in IMAX’s natural format was too delicious an idea to pass up. As a filmgoer, it’s something I want to see."

So for those hoping for a lot of IMAX film stock to be used for Episode VII, it looks J.J. Abrams had other ideas. A single action sequence in IMAX is still something to look forward to right? That Disney IMAX deal can’t be for nothing now guys. Seriously though, I love IMAX and see the appeal, but I fear it will become a gimmick (more so) like its ugly cousin 3D.

Are you disappointed about the minimal use of IMAX?

You can watch STAR WARS: EPISODE VII in mostly 35mm film on December 18, 2015.