The newly-named TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood will be undergoing more changes this summer, when a partnership between the theatre and IMAX Corp. will come to fruition.

IMAX Corp. has entered into an agreement with the TCL Chinese Theatre to bring an IMAX theatre to Hollywood. The financial details of the agreement were not released. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

An IMAX theatre will be constructed on the site, a first for Hollywood, theatre officials said. Alwyn Hight Kushner, the theatre’s president and chief operations manager, said the theatre will be the largest IMAX in the world in terms of capacity, with more than 900 seats. The screen, she said, will be approximately 95 feet by 47 feet.

“It’s going to be huge,” Kushner said. “We’re really excited. I think it’s going to be a game-changer for Hollywood honestly.”

However, a permit is needed for the TCL Chinese Theatre project, and that process is ongoing. Kushner referenced the support the project has received from various historical groups, such as the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation.

“We really have the support of all the historians and theatre preservations, which means we’re doing the right thing,” she said.

If the project is approved, the theatre is expected to close on May 1, and reopen again in late summer or early fall. Kushner said the forecourt and the gift shops will remain open, and the theatre will offer hard-hat tours throughout the construction.

“We’re hoping to welcome millions of visitors this summer as we always do,” she said. “[The closure is] certainly not ideal, but it will be worth it. It’s tough to close, obviously. It will be well worth it, and when it reopens, it will be amazing, unlike anything else in the world.”

Kushner said the historic elements of the theatre will not be touched. The floor, which has been changed several times over the years, will be altered, as will the seating, which officials planned to change after renaming the theatre, she said. It will now be sloped.

“All of the character defining features — none of that is being changed,” Kushner said.

Furthermore, contractors will install audio and visual enhancements, improve the landscaping and adjust the interior and exterior lighting schemes, she said. Other restoration work will be included in the project.

“It’s important that the audio/visual presentation and the presentation of watching a movie here is perfect,” Kushner added. “Nothing less than perfect is really acceptable here.”

Per the agreement, TCL Chinese Theatre will only show IMAX films, such as “The Dark Knight”, “The Hunger Games” and “The Hobbit”, during regular viewing times, but officials will be able to show IMAX and non-IMAX premieres, she said.

According to its website, IMAX uses a “complex web of high technology and architecture” to make its movies seem more realistic, an effort that theatre officials believe will improve the movie-going experience for patrons.

“It’s going to be outstanding,” Kushner said.

IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond agreed.

“Today’s agreement is the perfect marriage of Hollywood history and cutting-edge entertainment technology that will transform the movie-going experience for guests of the TCL Chinese Theatre for years to come,” he said in a statement.

Kushner said the agreement between TCL Chinese Theatre and IMAX is confidential. IMAX is committed to the theatre for a certain number of years, but she could not specify how many.