Barco, a provider of laser-powered cinema solutions, is expanding its HDR by Barco premium format programme internationally with the announcement of a new site in the UK, at Cineworld Leicester Square. Together with Cineworld, Barco is enhancing the Superscreen auditorium at London’s famed Leicester Square cinema with HDR by Barco and a new Harkness Hugo screen, beginning with the release of Paramount Picture’s Gladiator II on November 22.
The move gives audiences outside of the US a chance to experience HDR by Barco format for the first time. Moviegoers in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Miami, and Kansas City will have the opportunity to see Gladiator II in HDR by Barco when it opens in US theatres that same week.
Based on the Lightsteering technology, Barco’s approach to HDR is designed to work by strategically redistributing light on screen to produce highlights that are over 6x brighter than traditional projection, while retaining rich details in the darks for greater depth, clarity, and range.
The news marks a notable expansion of Barco’s HDR by Barco 2024 exhibition, which brings the company’s HDR with Lightsteering technology for cinema to audiences for the first time. The programme opened last month in five major US markets, including Regal’s Dania Pointe location in Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
Javier Sotomayor, president of Cineworld International, said: “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Barco and introduce their revolutionary HDR technology to our Superscreen at Cineworld Leicester Square. As the first location outside of the US to feature this cutting-edge format, we’re excited to offer London audiences an enhanced, brighter, and deeply immersive film experience, starting with the epic Gladiator II.”
Gerwin Damberg, executive vice president, Cinema for Barco, added: “It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the excitement surrounding HDR by Barco in the US, and we are excited to partner with Cineworld to introduce it to the UK. Leicester Square is one of London’s most iconic theatres, making it the perfect first international venue for HDR by Barco.”
He added: “We extend our gratitude to Paramount Pictures for their continued collaboration; Gladiator II is a sweeping epic that truly shines in Barco’s HDR on the big screen, developed in line with the new DCI HDR specifications, allowing us to bring the creative vision of filmmakers to life in the best possible light.”
From director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. It opens in HDR by Barco on November 22, 2024 in the UK and the US.
