IMAX debuted the critically acclaimed documentary "Asteroid Hunters" in China on Jan. 12, marking the first commercial release of an original IMAX film in the country.

Kyle Tsao, vice president of Marketing at IMAX China, emphasized at the premiere held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing on Wednesday that, "This time, the IMAX original film, which began showings in museums, science centers, and planetariums, will now enter commercial theaters nationwide. It marks a significant milestone for both IMAX and the film industry, representing a new starting point."

Kyle Tsao, vice president of Marketing at IMAX China, speaks at the premiere of "Asteroid Hunters" held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2024. [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]

"Star Wars" actress Daisy Ridley serves as the narrator for this distinctive 40-minute IMAX original film, a collaboration of top scientists and an Oscar-winning crew. Notably, for the Chinese version, director and actor Dong Chengpeng, also known as Da Peng, assumes the role of narrator, marking the first time an Asian actor has contributed to an IMAX original film in this capacity. 

Captured using IMAX cameras and enhanced with CGI and digital simulation technologies, the film immerses viewers in a cosmic odyssey, offering a close-up examination of asteroids. The narrative delves into their origins and explores the potential threat they pose to Earth. Throughout the film, leading asteroid scientists unveil cutting-edge technologies and techniques employed to safeguard our planet from this preventable natural disaster.

The premiere attracted numerous industry insiders, including many previously involved in Chinese sci-fi blockbusters. Xu Jian, founder and CEO of MoreVFX, known for heading visual effects for blockbusters such as "The Wandering Earth" franchise and "Moon Man," stated after the screening that presenting scientific subjects in the form of IMAX original films is "of great assistance to the overall societal understanding of science." He added that audiences of all ages coming together for the film and "gazing at the stars" is worthwhile. 

Xu's colleague, "The Wandering Earth II" colorist Zhang Gen, expressed deep admiration for the technical standards of the film: "I hope there will be more films like this in the future. For us industry professionals, it provides significant help from both creative and technical perspectives." Meanwhile, cinematographer Liu Yin, who also worked on "The Wandering Earth" franchise, praised the film's significance and visual impact, saying, "The kind of breathtaking spectacle we witness in these scenes is something we might not experience elsewhere."

An immersive installation made for a related science lecture inside the China National Film Museum after the premiere of "Asteroid Hunters" in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2024. [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]

A related science lecture was later held at the China National Film Museum. Gou Lijun, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), believes that people have become accustomed to the frequent occurrence of meteorites on Earth. However, when these celestial bodies are large enough, as depicted in the film, they pose a significant crisis. "The impact of asteroids is closely related to our own survival," he said, adding, "There are many aspects in 'Asteroid Hunters' worth learning about by scientists, such as the tracking and warning of asteroids. This IMAX original film is needed more than ever as it can inspire future scientists."

Wang Xiaolin, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under CAS, introduced various scientific hypotheses in the scientific community during the lecture, including the belief that an asteroid caused the extinction of dinosaurs, as depicted in the film. He stated how this background information allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific exploration presented in "Asteroid Hunters." He also described how IMAX original films like this one, which combine great scientific and artistic value and secure wide releases in commercial theaters, represent "a significant milestone in the history of Chinese cinema."

IMAX has been a pioneer in popular science documentaries, producing highly educational and groundbreaking original films shot with IMAX cameras for decades. These films, featured in renowned science centers and museums globally, have taken audiences on journeys through space and the deep sea, exploring science, nature, and the humanities. IMAX hopes that the commercial release of "Asteroid Hunters" in China will bring their other original films closer to Chinese audiences, allowing them to deeply explore space and experience the charm of IMAX, showcasing the company's ongoing innovative and diversified content expansion.

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