Odeon signs up for 500 RealD systems

Owned by private equity group Terra Firma, Odeon and UCI, the leading European multiplex chain, agreed a deal to convert approximately 30 per cent of its 1,700 screens to digital 3D cinema by year end 2009 using the RealD format. This 500 screen deployment across seven European territories including Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK will position Odeon and UCI with the largest 3D footprint in Europe. The deal will see an additional eight sites upgraded to digital 3D capability for the release of Paramounts Beowulf in November 2007 on top of the existing five screens also using the RealD system in the UK. The first round of deployments will see Odeon upgrading its existing digital screens with the RealD system comprising a circular polarizing Z-filter, disposable glasses and a silver screen.