IMAX Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that Underworld: Awakening, the fourth installment in the popular supernatural-action franchise produced by Lakeshore Entertainment along with creator Len Wiseman, will be released to IMAX digital theatres simultaneously with the film's worldwide release Jan. 20, 2012. The latest chapter in the Underworld saga marks the return of Kate Beckinsale in the title role of Selene and is the first of the series to be filmed in 3D and released in IMAX.

"Underworld is one of Screen Gems' most important franchises, so it's important to us to present the movie as its fans want to see it: on the IMAX screen," said Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing.

"The Underworld franchise has established a dedicated fan following and we think Underworld: Awakening will serve as a terrific kick off to our robust 2012 film slate," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of Underworld: Awakening will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D 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 Underworld: Awakening

Underworld: Awakening brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein. The film is produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Len Wiseman, and Richard S. Wright. Len Wiseman wrote the initial story for Underworld: Awakening, the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise, which is based on characters created by Kevin Grevioux and Wiseman. The screenplay was written by John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, Allison Burnett and Wiseman.