What are the key takeaways from this The Vergecast episode?

Key insights include: **True IMAX vs. Digital IMAX:** Only 40 to 41 theaters worldwide project genuine 70mm IMAX at a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which displays measurably more visual information than standard digital IMAX screens. Viewers at regular screenings of The Odyssey literally miss creature details — such as the full form of Scylla — that are only visible in the 70mm format.; **Why more true IMAX theaters cannot be built:** The original manufacturing blueprints for 70mm IMAX projectors are largely lost, parts suppliers have closed or pivoted industries, and institutional knowledge has eroded alongside the broader industry shift to digital projection. Existing projectors, most built 50 years ago, are maintained and retrofitted rather than replaced or replicated.; **The cost barrier to theater expansion:** Even if projectors could be manufactured, theaters would require full auditorium reconstruction to accommodate the oversized screens, representing capital expenditure that most cinema operators — already running thin profit margins — cannot absorb, making widespread rollout economically unviable.

What did Charles Pulleymore discuss on The Vergecast?

The Vergecast examines why IMAX, a 60-year-old filmmaking format, is experiencing a major resurgence driven by Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey — the first film ever shot entirely on 70mm IMAX — and what the format's severe technical and physical limitations mean for moviegoers and the theater industry. Key topics include: **True IMAX vs. Digital IMAX:** Only 40 to 41 theaters worldwide project genuine 70mm IMAX at a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which displays measurably more visual information than standard digital IMAX screens. Viewers at regular screenings of The Odyssey literally miss creature details — such as the full form of Scylla — that are only visible in the 70mm format.; **Why more true IMAX theaters cannot be built:** The original manufacturing blueprints for 70mm IMAX projectors are largely lost, parts suppliers have closed or pivoted industries, and institutional knowledge has eroded alongside the broader industry shift to digital projection. Existing projectors, most built 50 years ago, are maintained and retrofitted rather than replaced or replicated..

How long is this episode of The Vergecast?

This episode is 28 minutes long. SignalCast provides an AI-generated summary so you can get the key insights in about 3 minutes.

The Vergecast

The next big thing in movies is 60-year-old IMAX tech

August 6, 2026

28 min episode · 2 min read

Charles Pulleymore

Episode

28 min

Read time

2 min

Topics

Design & UX, Marketing, Software Development

AI-Generated Summary

Published Aug 7, 2026

Key Takeaways

✓True IMAX vs. Digital IMAX: Only 40 to 41 theaters worldwide project genuine 70mm IMAX at a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which displays measurably more visual information than standard digital IMAX screens. Viewers at regular screenings of The Odyssey literally miss creature details — such as the full form of Scylla — that are only visible in the 70mm format.
✓Why more true IMAX theaters cannot be built: The original manufacturing blueprints for 70mm IMAX projectors are largely lost, parts suppliers have closed or pivoted industries, and institutional knowledge has eroded alongside the broader industry shift to digital projection. Existing projectors, most built 50 years ago, are maintained and retrofitted rather than replaced or replicated.
✓The cost barrier to theater expansion: Even if projectors could be manufactured, theaters would require full auditorium reconstruction to accommodate the oversized screens, representing capital expenditure that most cinema operators — already running thin profit margins — cannot absorb, making widespread rollout economically unviable.
✓Nolan's role in IMAX's cultural revival: Starting with The Dark Knight, Nolan systematically incorporated IMAX sequences across Interstellar, The Dark Knight Rises, and Oppenheimer, building public literacy around the format over two decades. His rising celebrity directorship directly correlated with growing audience awareness and demand for IMAX screenings industry-wide.
✓Infinity Vision is a standards framework, not a filmmaking format: Disney's new Infinity Vision label for Avengers: Doomsday defines theater display standards — brightness, sound, screen size thresholds — that venues must meet to carry the branding. It has no connection to how the film was shot or projected, making it a marketing designation rather than a technical filmmaking achievement like 70mm IMAX.

What It Covers

The Vergecast examines why IMAX, a 60-year-old filmmaking format, is experiencing a major resurgence driven by Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey — the first film ever shot entirely on 70mm IMAX — and what the format's severe technical and physical limitations mean for moviegoers and the theater industry.

Key Questions Answered

•True IMAX vs. Digital IMAX: Only 40 to 41 theaters worldwide project genuine 70mm IMAX at a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which displays measurably more visual information than standard digital IMAX screens. Viewers at regular screenings of The Odyssey literally miss creature details — such as the full form of Scylla — that are only visible in the 70mm format.
•Why more true IMAX theaters cannot be built: The original manufacturing blueprints for 70mm IMAX projectors are largely lost, parts suppliers have closed or pivoted industries, and institutional knowledge has eroded alongside the broader industry shift to digital projection. Existing projectors, most built 50 years ago, are maintained and retrofitted rather than replaced or replicated.
•The cost barrier to theater expansion: Even if projectors could be manufactured, theaters would require full auditorium reconstruction to accommodate the oversized screens, representing capital expenditure that most cinema operators — already running thin profit margins — cannot absorb, making widespread rollout economically unviable.
•Nolan's role in IMAX's cultural revival: Starting with The Dark Knight, Nolan systematically incorporated IMAX sequences across Interstellar, The Dark Knight Rises, and Oppenheimer, building public literacy around the format over two decades. His rising celebrity directorship directly correlated with growing audience awareness and demand for IMAX screenings industry-wide.
•Infinity Vision is a standards framework, not a filmmaking format: Disney's new Infinity Vision label for Avengers: Doomsday defines theater display standards — brightness, sound, screen size thresholds — that venues must meet to carry the branding. It has no connection to how the film was shot or projected, making it a marketing designation rather than a technical filmmaking achievement like 70mm IMAX.

Notable Moment

A reviewer saw The Odyssey twice in different formats and only discovered in the IMAX screening that a sea monster briefly visible in the standard version actually retreats into a hole like a hermit crab — a detail completely absent from the regular 35mm print due to the format's reduced visual information.

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Episode Transcript

Welcome to the Vergecast, the flagship podcast of seven story high movie screens. I'm Jennifer Patterson Tuohy, the Verge's senior reviewer. And today, we're talking IMAX. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has already been selling out IMAX theaters, and now Spider Man Brand New Day, which has just had the biggest box office debut ever, is expanding to IMAX too. So it is a big week if you wanna see 80 foot tall close ups of Tom Holland and Zendaya. But what is it about the 60 year old technology that is suddenly the hottest thing in movies other than Matt Damon's biceps? The Verge's TV and film reporter Charles Pulleymore is gonna be joining me to give us the view from the top. But first, here's what's happening on The Verge today. This is ninety seconds on The Verge for Thursday, 08/06/2026. Major moves are afoot among Google's AI leadership. Jeff Dean, Google DeepMind's chief scientist, is leaving to start Discovery Loop, where he'll build deeply positive AI systems. Demis Hassabis is out as leader and will become chair and Alphabet's chief scientist. DeepMind CTO, Kuwei Kavachukoglu, replaces him. The Verge's Hayden Field says this laundry list of executive changes likely signal deeper issues within Google's AI organization, including Dean's opposition to Google's DOD contract and and an overall push towards faster, more product focused leadership. Nintendo just made a bunch of money, thanks in part to a $300,000,000 tariff refund. The company reported a 150% profit increase in its first quarter, thanks to strong game sales and a whopping big check from the US government. Despite raising prices on Switch consoles and blaming tariffs, Nintendo is keeping the refund, and it's not alone. Sony is is also keeping its refunds from PlayStation price increases, and both companies are now facing lawsuits from users. Bose has announced its long awaited second gen QuietComfort headphones. The ANC models will be available for preorder on August 8 for $359 and come in some fun new colors, including a gorgeous deep red rose and a vaguely urine colored one. The second gen will feature an upgraded aware mode and new immersive audio listening modes, including head tracking and a simulated theater like experience. That's gonna be fun while you're riding on the subway. You can read more about all of these stories at theverge.com. That's ninety seconds on the verge for Thursday, 08/06/2026. If you're looking to hire, you need Indeed. With Indeed sponsored jobs, you can spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results, and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help your job get the premium status it deserves at indeed.com/podcast. Just go to indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast, indeed.com/podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. Support for the show comes from …

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