'Avengers: Secret Wars' locks IMAX release for December 17, 2027; sets up clash with 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'

'Avengers: Secret Wars' has officially locked in a global IMAX premiere date on December 17, 2027. The Marvel superhero film, which serves as a follow-up to 'Avengers: Doomsday', will now officially set itself up for a release on large screen formats, according to an announcement made during an earnings call by IMAX Corporation.

'Avengers: Secret Wars' books IMAX release

This move comes after 'Doomsday', slated for a December 2026 release, lost out on IMAX screens to 'Dune: Part Three'. According to reports, the Denis Villeneuve directorial secured an exclusive IMAX, including 70mm, release for its opening window on December 18, 2026. The deal reportedly grants Dune an exclusive three-week use of all U.S. IMAX screens for its debut, ensuring a premium format advantage. Tickets for select 70mm screenings sold out quickly.

'Avengers' sets up clash with 'Lord of the Rings'

However, while the film has booked its release date over a year in advance, it still comes a year after 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum' picked the same date. 'Secret Wars', that is set to be a grand finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Six - Multiverse Saga, will now clash with 'LOTR' next December.

The project will be directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, is expected to deliver a large-scale multiverse storyline inspired by the 2015 Secret Wars comic book arc.

About 'The Hunt for Gollum'

'The Hunt for Gollum' follows Aragorn and Gandalf as they search for Gollum to learn more about Bilbo's ring, which turns out to be the One Ring that threatens all of Middle-earth during the events of 'Lord of the Rings'. The film sees several returning faces from the original trilogy - Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins. Lee Pace also returns as the elf Thranduil, a role he played in the 'Hobbit' trilogy.

Over the past year, the followin films have booked theirr Imax relaeses:

Sonic 4

Shrek 5

Frozen 3

Minecraft 2

The Mummy

Panic Carefully

Legend of Zelda

Man of Tomorrow

The Batman Part 2

Star Wars: Starfighter

Avengers: Secret Wars

Beyond the Spider-Verse

The Thomas Crown Affair

Godzilla x Kong: Supernova

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Children of Blood and Bone

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