A Free IMAX Preview of ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Is Coming to a Theater Near You

With increasing pressure on studios to hype their big blockbusters as much as possible before their release, some are pulling out some new tricks to keep the wave of excitement flowing. Paramount has announced that it’s offering a free preview, in IMAX, of Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost in the Shell, in fourteen cities nationwide before the film officially hits theaters.

The screening is happening on February 28 at 7 pm, and is described by Paramount as a “fan event,” featuring “an exclusive first look at stunning film footage.” Probably means you won’t get to see the whole thing if you go, but enough of the razzle-dazzle to make you tell your friends they’ve got to see this one in IMAX. Marvel has actually done this before for Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange, which were both visually impressive movies with the kind of effects to make you want to see them on a huge screen, so it looks like Paramount is banking on Ghost in the Shell having the same advantage.

In anticipation of the upcoming film “GHOST IN THE SHELL,” Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks Pictures and IMAX present a one-night-only event featuring an exclusive first look at stunning film footage exclusively in IMAX® theatres across 14 North American cities with select international markets and dates to follow. Attendees will receive a limited edition poster and have the opportunity to capture their experience in a film-centric experiential photo booth — “Becoming the Major.” IMAX theatres in Los Angeles and New York will also feature a special behind-the-scenes look at the costumes and props from the film.

Plus, with the current controversy surrounding Johansson being cast as a character who, for all intents and purposes, should be Japanese, this might a good way for the studio to get some more positive word out closer to the release. If you’re interested, you can grab your passes here.

If you’d rather wait for the whole thing, Ghost in the Shell, co-starring Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbaek, and Juliette Binoche, hits theaters March 31.