Global Takeover
CJ 4DPLEX, a subsidiary of South Korea's largest entertainment conglomerate, CGV, announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Marcus Theaters, the fifth-largest theater chain in the U.S., and will open a 4DX theater in Chicago's Marcus DMA “Marcus Gurnee Cinema” in Nov. this year.
The new partner is the fifth largest theater circuit in the U.S., which owns screens at locations across the nation, such as Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska, as well as Chicago.
With the partnership with Marcus Theaters, CJ 4DPLEX is planning to open the first 4DX theater in Chicago and to further discuss the expansion of theaters later. Also, the company believes that it will gain a foothold to expand its 4DX theaters all throughout the Americas after having its U.S. debut in Los Angeles and New York.
Rolando Rodriguez, president and CEO of Marcus Theaters, said, “We have invested in a wide variety of amenities across many of our theaters, including seating, food, and beverage options and premium large format screens. Now we will bring another unique, experiential offering to guests at Gurnee Cinema through 4DX in the future as the extension of our efforts.”
CJ 4DPLEX CEO Choi Byung-hwan said, “After launching the 4DX theater in L.A. last year, its remarkable accomplishments over the past year have become a decisive momentum for the partnership with Marcus Theatres. Above all, we are excited to offer the ultimate movie-going experience in Chicago through 4DX with the partnership.”
Meanwhile, 4DX theaters were developed and commercialized by CJ 4DPLEX in 2009 for the first time in the world. They provide chair-embedded sensory effects like gusts of air, scented mists, seat motion, and vibrations for a state-of-the-art viewing experience. Currently, 4DX now operates in 196 theaters in 34 countries including Korea, China, Japan, Mexico, and Europe.
It was first launched in the U.S. at Los Angeles' AEG-owned Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 last year. Based on the achievement, the company announced that it will open two additional 4DX theaters in Manhattan, New York, by the end of this year.