Mumbai: Cineplex Entertainment and RealD announced they have signed a long-term agreement to install a minimum of 175 3D systems into Cineplex Entertainment theatres across the country by December 2009, bringing RealD’s committed screen count to well over 5,500. The commencement of the RealD rollout is dependent upon Cineplex Entertainment entering into a digital deployment agreement to begin the conversion to digital projection.

"We are pleased to partner with RealD, the leader in 3D technology," said Cineplex Entertainment President and CEO Ellis Jacob. "There is an exciting slate of 3D films scheduled for release during the next 18 months that includes DreamWorks Animation’s Monsters vs. Aliens in addition to about a dozen other 3D films and this agreement will allow us to provide most advanced digital 3D movie-going experience possible."

"We are thrilled to be the 3D provider of choice for Cineplex Entertainment," said RealD chairman and CEO Michael Lewis. "The partnership brings next-generation 3D to even more cinemagoers across Canada."

"2009 is truly shaping up to be the year of 3D, in which exhibitors and film studios will join together to provide moviegoers with a bigger and better experience at the theatre than ever before," said DreamWorks Animation (NYSE:DWA) CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. "By this time next year we will be closer than ever to seeing digital 3D become a mainstream reality in theatres across North America."

"The good news just keeps coming as moviegoers get even more access to 3D screens," said 20th Century Fox Domestic Distribution president Bruce Snyder. "With Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and James Cameron’s Avatar both being released in 3D next year, we’re obviously committed to the 3D format and couldn’t be more excited about RealD’s continued expansion of its 3D technology and digitalization of theatres globally."