[2] Buena Vista Steps Up Its Pursuit of Digital Exhibition; Digital Playdates Set for Three Additional Films.

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Nov. 12, 1999--

In addition to the six digital playdates set for "Toy Story 2" on Nov. 24, Buena Vista is expanding its support of digital exhibition with digital playdates for three additional films: "Bicentennial Man" (Touchstone Pictures), "Mission to Mars" (Touchstone) and Disney's ambitious computer-animated epic, "Dinosaur," it was announced today (11/12) by Bob Lambert, senior vice president of new technology and new media for The Walt Disney Co., and Phil Barlow, executive vice president of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

"Bicentennial Man," directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams, will make its digital debut on Dec. 17 at six theaters. The participating exhibitors for that release will be Famous Players in Toronto and Vancouver, B.C.; AMC in Kansas City, Mo., and Chicago; Cinemark in Cleveland; and Harkins Theaters in Phoenix.

Additionally, 12 digital playdates are set for Brian DePalma's ambitious space adventure "Mission to Mars" in March. Walt Disney Feature Animation's first in-house computer-animated feature "Dinosaur" will be exhibited digitally in May.

Commenting on the announcement, "Bicentennial Man" director Chris Columbus said: "The digital presentation of a feature film gives us an opportunity to experience our cinematic future now. The image is crystal clear with vibrant colors and exquisite detail. Seeing digital imagery for the first time was as exciting as seeing my first projected film."

Lambert added: "Digital exhibition continues to improve and offer tremendous possibilities for the distribution and exhibition communities. We will continue working with Texas Instruments and the other pioneers in digital exhibition to bring the best possible presentation to the moviegoing public."