Amazon and IMAX Want to Prove Size Matters with The Aeronauts‘ October Release

Actor Eddie Redmayne has wrestled with fantastic beasts in a wizarding world, but his biggest adventure yet—literally—is set to open Oct. 25. Amazon Studios and IMAX Corporation have partnered to bring the Redmayne-starring The Aeronauts to IMAX’s eye-poppingly large screens. The special screening will run for a week before expanding to a wider theatrical release.

“The Aeronauts is a spectacular movie featuring emotionally engaging performances and edge-of-your-seat action,” said Head of Amazon Studios Jennifer Salke in a statement. “We’re thrilled to join IMAX in showcasing this one-of-a-kind film in such a grand format. We look forward to giving our customers an unforgettable theatrical experience high above the clouds.”

Directed by Tom Harper and written by Jack Thorne, and also featuring Redmayne’s The Theory of Everything co-star Felicity Jones, The Aeronauts promises to be an exhilarating experience worthy of being Amazon Studios’ first IMAX event:

Set in 1862, The Aeronauts follows wealthy young widow Amelia Wren (Jones) and headstrong scientist James Glaisher (Redmayne), as they mount a balloon expedition to fly higher than anyone in history. This is a journey to the very edge of existence, where the air is thin and the chances of survival are slim. As their perilous ascent reveals their true selves, this unlikely pair discover things about each other—and themselves—that helps each of them find their place in the world they have left behind.

A new promotional image paired with today’s announcement shows Redmayne and Jones having what appears to be a not-very-good time:

With a digital remastering of both visuals and audio, this is no simple hack job. Certain action sequences were explicitly designed for viewing on IMAX’s enormous screens. An expanded aspect ratio will allow attendees to see up to 26% more picture than those in traditional theaters. That’s a whole lot of Newt Scamander to take in.

IMAX Entertainment President Megan Colligan is equally enthusiastic about the companies’ partnership:

Today’s announcement with Amazon, which marks our first significant venture of this kind connected with a full theatrical release, is an important step in our continued effort to provide a global platform to launch diverse, premium event content every single week of the year. Tom designed this movie for the IMAX screen and the result is going to blow audiences away. This film, inspired by incredible true events, offers heart-pounding intense sequences that are woven so wonderfully with the beauty, scale and emotion of these two characters go on their epic journey.

The Aeronauts’s cast includes Oscar nominee Tom Courtenay, BAFTA nominee Anne Reid, BAFTA winner Rebecca Front, Vincent Perez, Tim McInnerny, Phoebe Fox and Himesh Patel. The movie is produced by Mandeville Films’ Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman, and Harper, and executive produced by Richard Hewitt and Thorne. FilmNation Entertainment is in charge of international distribution.

We’ll let you know when we have a trailer for this thing.