May 2, 2023—Amazon Studios has acquired worldwide rights to the IMAX Original Documentary The Blue Angels. Bad Robot, Glen Powell’s Barnstorm Productions, Zipper Bros Films, and Dolphin Entertainment produced the project that chronicles a year in the cockpit with one of the most exclusive aviator teams in the world, filmed with awe-inspiring IMAX cameras.
The Blue Angels follows the newest class of the storied Navy and Marine Corps flight squadron through intense training and into a season of heart-stopping aerial artistry, and the veterans on the team who, this year, will take their final flights. It marks the first time the iconic blue and yellow F/A-18 Super Hornets will be featured in IMAX. The film also captures the spectacle of this traveling air show through key members of the support staff on the ground, as well as from loved ones left at home.
“This fascinating and layered documentary is wholly representative of the kind of work ethic, teamwork, and perseverance that goes into being a Blue Angel,” said Brianna Oh, Head of Documentary Features at Amazon Studios. “We are incredibly honored to join this talented filmmaking team in bringing their story to audiences around the world.”
“The Blue Angels will be the theatrical documentary experience of the year, and we’re thrilled to share it with a global audience,” said John Turner, Head of Documentaries for IMAX. “Our partnership with Amazon Studios marks an exciting chapter for IMAX as we reimagine how to broaden our original documentaries for a streaming audience. We’re grateful for the enthusiasm and support that the Amazon team has for the project. It reflects the infectious spirit that The Blues have instilled in millions of fans for 80 years.“
“One of the most remarkable aspects of the Blue Angels’ story is their relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s a message that I think will be as inspiring to the audience as it has been to the filmmakers,” said Bad Robot’s Co-CEO, J.J. Abrams.
The film was directed and edited by award-winning filmmaker Paul Crowder (UFO) and produced by Academy-Award winning producers Glen Zipper (Undefeated) via Zipper Bros Films, Mark Monroe (Icarus) via Diamond Docs, and Sean Stuart (Challenger: The Final Flight) via Sutter Road Picture Company. Bad Robot Productions’ J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella also produced, as did Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) via BarnStorm Productions. Rob Stone, Greg Wooldridge, IMAX’s Megan Colligan and John Turner, and Dolphin Entertainment’s Bill O’Dowd and Emerson Davis executive produced.
CAA Media Finance arranged the film’s financing and brokered the deal. Dolphin Entertainment co-financed the film.
About Amazon Studios
Amazon Studios is the home for talent, creating and producing Original films and television series for a global audience. Original series premiere exclusively on Prime Video, which is available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Amazon Studios also produces and acquires Original movies for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video, in addition to producing Original content for Freevee, Amazon’s premium free streaming service.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX’s network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. Streaming technology company SSIMWAVE, an IMAX subsidiary, is a leader in AI-driven video quality solutions for media and entertainment companies.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of March 31, 2023, there were 1,711 IMAX systems (1,631 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970.”
IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos®, SSIMWAVE® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax), YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/imax).
About Bad Robot
Bad Robot was formed by filmmaker J.J. Abrams in 2001. The company has produced television series such as ALIAS, LOST, FRINGE, PERSON OF INTEREST, WESTWORLD, CASTLE ROCK, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, and LISEY’S STORY, feature films such as SUPER 8, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, the STAR TREK, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and CLOVERFIELD franchises. In addition to its live action film and television slate, Bad Robot also produced the Oscar® winning animated adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s beloved illustrated book, THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE. The company is also producing several animated projects including a reimagining of Dr. Seuss’s iconic, OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO, and the upcoming animated series, BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER. In 2018, the company launched Bad Robot Games, a new entity dedicated to developing large and indie-scale original games for mobile, PC and console. The company recently launched an audio division, Bad Robot Audio, in partnership with Spotify to develop and produce original scripted and non-scripted audio content. Bad Robot is based in Santa Monica and can be followed at twitter.com/bad_robot and instagram.com/bad_robot.
Source: IMAX Corporation