Imax to screen 'Mission: Impossible 4' early

'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'For the first time ever in the U.S., Imax will get first crack at a major studio tentpole before any other exhib: Paramount's "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" launches in Imax on Dec. 16, before its nationwide release on Dec. 21.Par confirmed the move last week, though Imax made it official on their end Wednesday morning."Ghost Protocol," the fourth installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, is a natural fit for an early Imax bow, since a portion of the film (approximately 30 minutes) was shot with Imax cameras, added to the company's changing focus on fanboy product.What's more, it's known that Par toppers Brad Grey and Rob Moore, as well as "Ghost Protocol" helmer Brad Bird and Tom Cruise, are especially high on the format. "'Mission: Impossible' will be among the highlights of the holiday movie season and we're very happy to share the film with audiences early in Imax," Moore said.Imax CEO Richard Gelfond added: "We believe that the early release of this blockbuster film will help generate extra buzz and incremental revenue for both Imax and the box office overall."The exclusive Imax bow for "Ghost Protocol" acts as a trial run for potential future tentpoles launching early in Imax. "The sequences shot with Imax cameras, coupled with the visionary storytelling of Brad Bird and incredible scope of this film will -- mark my words -- blow audiences away," said Imax prexy Greg Foster.In the past, Imax has launched pics overseas only, most recently with "Cowboys and Aliens." That pic didn't screen domestically in Imax because of the company's prior summer commitments to films like "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."Up next for Imax is Disney-DreamWorks' "Real Steel" on Oct. 7. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

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