Fans gathered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles for the first sold-out 70mm IMAX screening of Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" on July 16, 2024 [1].
The event highlights the immense commercial draw of Nolan's filmmaking and the continuing prestige of the 70mm IMAX format, which often creates extreme scarcity for moviegoers.
Demand for the film was immediate, with a TCL Chinese Theatre spokesperson saying that IMAX showings sold out within minutes [2]. This surge in interest led some attendees to plan their visit far in advance. "I secured my ticket a year in advance and finally got to see it on the big screen," said an unnamed fan [1].
However, the high demand created a secondary market where ticket prices surged. Some fans expressed frustration over the cost of obtaining seats through third-party sellers. "It's ridiculous that resellers are charging $500 for a single seat," said another attendee [2].
The TCL Chinese Theatre spokesperson said the demand for the film has been unprecedented [2]. The venue, located in the heart of Hollywood, served as the site for this first sold-out screening, drawing crowds who had waited months or even a year to witness the production in its intended format [1].
“"The demand for 'The Odyssey' has been unprecedented; we sold out the IMAX showings within minutes."”
The extreme demand and the emergence of a high-priced reseller market underscore the 'eventization' of cinema. When a director like Christopher Nolan mandates specific high-fidelity formats like 70mm IMAX, the limited number of compatible theaters transforms a movie release into a scarce commodity, driving both fan loyalty and speculative pricing.
