Paramount Pictures has released a new featurette for Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, which hits IMAX theaters nationwide December 16 before its wide release December 21. Click on the video player below to watch director Brad Bird discuss how he used the IMAX technology in this action-packed sequel. You can also read the full press release from IMAX below the video player regarding Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol's early international release.

IMAX Corporation and Paramount Pictures today announced that Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol The IMAX Experience will begin previews in IMAX on Friday, Dec. 16, five days in advance of the film's North American wide release on Dec. 21. Domestically, the film will open in approximately 300 IMAX theatres and play through the film's run at the box office.

Internationally, the film will open on approximately 200 IMAX screens beginning on Dec. 14, with several markets receiving an early window release in IMAX ahead of their wide release, including six days in the Netherlands, five days in the UK, three days in France and Poland, two days in Korea, Spain and Taiwan, and one day in various other countries worldwide.

In addition to the early window of engagement, the IMAX release of this fourth installment of Mission: Impossible features approximately 30 minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras. These specific sequences, including the unbelievable stunt performed by Tom Cruise as he scaled the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, will expand to fill the entire screen, exclusively in IMAX, and further immerse the audience in the explosive action and vast scope of the film.

"We're excited that audiences will be able to preview this film at its best a full five days in advance," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "This early engagement demonstrates the confidence that both the studio and filmmakers have in 'The IMAX Experience' to reinforce the event nature of the film and generate positive word-of-mouth to support the wider launch of this favorite franchise."

"The edge-of-your-seat, heart-stopping suspense that Brad Bird masterfully delivers in this film is brought to life in IMAX, providing an up-close, you-are-there experience that is unparalleled," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Advance screenings of select film sequences shot with IMAX cameras have received overwhelmingly positive reactions from audiences across the globe."

The IMAX release of Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

This holiday season, two-time Academy Award-winner Brad Bird directs, with producers Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams, the action-packed spy adventure Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, IMF operative Ethan Hunt is disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the President initiates "Ghost Protocol." Left without any resources or backup, Ethan must find a way to clear his agency's name and prevent another attack. To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF fugitives whose personal motives he does not fully know.

Tom Cruise returns in the starring role as Ethan Hunt and is joined by an international cast that includes Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Josh Holloway, Anil Kapoor and Léa Seydoux. Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol is directed by Brad Bird, in his live action film debut, and written by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec. Cruise, who produces the Mission: Impossible films, is joined by producers J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk. The film will be co-financed by Skydance Productions. Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Paul Schwake and Dana Goldberg are the executive producers.

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol The IMAX Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at the following IMAX theatres across North America on December 16 (CLICK HERE for theater list)

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol The IMAX Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at the following IMAX international theatres beginning on December 14 (CLICK HERE for theater list)