For the majority of cinephiles and sci-fi fans not attending the Cannes Film Festival this year, rejoice: Warner Bros. is sending Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” back to theaters.
In addition to a 50th anniversary screening at the annual gathering in Southern France, which will be introduced with remarks by Kubrick super fan and diretor Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros. is trotting out a 70mm version of the film in select locations starting May 18.
“For the first time since the original release, this 70mm print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative. This is a true photochemical film recreation. There are no digital tricks, remastered effects, or revisionist edits,” the studio said of the release.
“I’m delighted that ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honor it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, I would personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film,” said Kubrick’s wife, Christiane.
Nolan added that one of his “earliest memories of cinema is seeing … ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honor and a privilege.”
A full restored version of the film will be released for the home entertainment market later this year. Originally released in 70mm Cinerama roadshow format on April 4, 1968, the film “ignited the imaginations of critics and audiences alike and its impact continues to resonate to this day,” the studio said.