Robert Zemeckis

"This is a great second-weekend result, indicating that people are getting into the holiday mood. The IMAX release is continuing to demonstrate a strong presence, and with the holidays just around the corner, we anticipate the momentum to continue." "The sustained second-weekend performance bodes well for the legs of the IMAX release, especially when you consider our successful history with Robert Zemeckis and our great partnership with Disney," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The premium IMAX(R) 3D Experience really shows off Robert Zemeckis's unique vision and we're pleased with these strong second-weekend results,"

Read more: Disney's A Christmas Carol Continues Strong Performance During Second Weekend in IMAX(R) Theatres | In this article: Disney, A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey, IMAX Corporation, A Christmas Carol, New York Media, and Revenue

"The sustained second-weekend performance bodes well for the legs of the IMAX release, especially when you consider our successful history with Robert Zemeckis and our great partnership with Disney," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The premium IMAX(R) 3D Experience really shows off Robert Zemeckis's unique vision and we're pleased with these strong second-weekend results," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Disney is continuing to do a great job of calling out IMAX in its global marketing campaign, and we believe the momentum will continue to build through Thanksgiving weekend."

Read more: Disney's A Christmas Carol Continues Strong Performance During Second Weekend in IMAX(R) Theatres | In this article: Disney, A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey, IMAX Corporation, A Christmas Carol, New York Media, and Revenue

"We're pleased with how the film performed this weekend and we're particularly impressed with the significant contribution that the IMAX network made to the overall opening results. We look forward to continued success as we head into the holiday season." "Based on our experience with the IMAX releases of Robert Zemeckis' last two films (The Polar Express and Beowulf) and given this is the only 3D release currently in theatres, we expect the IMAX per screen average to stay strong over the next several weeks," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The IMAX theatre network's significant contribution to the film's overall box office results is very encouraging as it demonstrates the growing consumer appetite for The IMAX Experience."

Read more: Disney's A Christmas Carol Opens Strong in IMAX(R) Theatres | In this article: IMAX Corporation, Disney, A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey, Beowulf, A Christmas Carol, New York Media, and Revenue

"Based on our experience with the IMAX releases of Robert Zemeckis' last two films (The Polar Express and Beowulf) and given this is the only 3D release currently in theatres, we expect the IMAX per screen average to stay strong over the next several weeks," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The IMAX theatre network's significant contribution to the film's overall box office results is very encouraging as it demonstrates the growing consumer appetite for The IMAX Experience." "Given the natural connection between the unique vision of Robert Zemeckis and his history with IMAX(R) 3D, this initial performance bodes well for IMAX theatres in the coming weeks," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Disney has done a great job of calling out IMAX in its marketing campaign, and we're very happy to be a part of a winning combination of brands that is clearly resonating with consumers - Disney, Robert Zemeckis and IMAX."

Read more: Disney's A Christmas Carol Opens Strong in IMAX(R) Theatres | In this article: IMAX Corporation, Disney, A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey, Beowulf, A Christmas Carol, New York Media, and Revenue

"Christmas Carol" were strong opening numbers in the U.K. and in Mexico. Disney says that "on a consolidated basis in the same bucket of territories, the $12 million take was the best ever achieved by a Robert Zemeckis film." The take was 50% bigger than that of "The Polar Express,"

Read more: 'This Is It' tops overseas boxoffice | In this article: Disney, Michael Jackson, Sony, Japan, Pixar, France, U.K., Germany, and EuropaCorp

"Beowulf," Zemeckis realized he now had the tools to bring "A Christmas Carol" to the screen the way he imagined it on the page. "It was the idea of being able to actually re-create London and not have any limitations whatsoever. Anything that existed at the time we could present," Zemeckis said. "Then the idea that Jim could play Scrooge in all the different ages, and the ghosts, they could be his alter-ego, and he could play those. Everything just fell into place."

Read more: Holiday films will take you from Dickens' London to the end of the world | In this article: Peter Jackson, Charles Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, Ebenezer Scrooge, James Cameron, Robert Downey Jr., London, Jim Carrey, and Beowulf

"Beowulf," Zemeckis realized he now had the tools to bring "A Christmas Carol" to the screen the way he imagined it on the page. "It was the idea of being able to actually recreate London and not have any limitations whatsoever. Anything that existed at the time we could present," Zemeckis said. "Then the idea that Jim could play Scrooge in all the different ages, and the ghosts, they could be his alter-ego, and he could play those. Everything just fell into place."

Read more: What the Dickens are the next big hits? | In this article: Charles Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Robert Downey Jr., Ebenezer Scrooge, and Beowulf

"No other contemporary director has used special effects to more dramatic and narrative purpose." Zemeckis was born in Chicago , Illinois to a Lithuanian father and Italian American mother and was raised in a working-class Catholic family. Zemeckis has said that "the truth was that in my family there was no art. I mean, there was no music, there were no books, there was no theater.... The only thing I had that was inspirational, was television-and it actually was."

Read more: Robert Zemeckis | In this article: Robert Lee "Bob" Zemeckis, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Academy Awards, Bob Gale, Forrest Gump, The Polar Express, What Lies Beneath, and Castaway

"Bonnie and Clyde " with his father and being heavily influenced by it, Zemeckis decided that he wanted to go to film school. His parents disapproved of the idea, Zemeckis later said, "But only in the sense that they were concerned....for my family and my friends and the world that I grew up in, this was the kind of dream that really was impossible.

Read more: Robert Zemeckis | In this article: Robert Lee "Bob" Zemeckis, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Academy Awards, Bob Gale, Forrest Gump, The Polar Express, What Lies Beneath, and Castaway

In 1990, Zemeckis commented, when asked if he would want to make non-comedies, "I would like to be able to do everything. Just now, though, I'm too restless to do anything that's not really zany."

Read more: Robert Zemeckis | In this article: Robert Lee "Bob" Zemeckis, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Academy Awards, Bob Gale, Forrest Gump, The Polar Express, What Lies Beneath, and Castaway