'Menace' digital in L.A., N,J.
TI, CineComm duel with new versions of 'Phantom' pic
But to catch this glimpse of the future of theatrical exhibition, they'll have to venture out of Manhattan.
LucasFilm and 20th Century Fox announced Thursday that the New York area digital engagements of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" will be in two New Jersey theaters -- the Loews' Route 4 Paramus and Loews' Meadows 6 in Secaucus.
The decision to go with the New Jersey sites was dictated by the need to find a pair of roughly equivalent multiscreen settings in which to showcase two rival digital projection systems, according to Fox sources.
In Paramus, the sci-fi blockbuster will be projected using a system from CineComm; in Secaucus, Texas Instruments equipment will be used.
A Manhattan face-off was ruled out because the "Star Wars" prequel is playing in only one large multiplex in Gotham, the UA Union Square 14.
In L.A., the pic will screen digitally at Pacific's Winnetka Theater (CineComm) and AMC's Burbank 14 (Texas Instruments).
