Anschutz Goes 3D

Philip Anschutz’s Regal Entertainment Group is banking long term on the successful 3D film format and has signed a deal to bring 1,500 more 3D screens to its theatres.

The deal with screen company RealD Corp. underscores theatre owners’ attempts to lure customers away from their home DVD systems and back into the air-conditioned movie theatres, the Wall Street Journal noted. Recent 3D successes include concert films by U2 and, of course, Hannah Montana.

Other 3D movies are getting rolled out this summer from Time Warner and Walt Disney, according to the WSJ. About 12 are expected to hit theatres next year, the paper said.