BATAVIA, IL — No matter how a “Halloween” movie might end, the fate of Michael Myers always remains up in the air. But not that of the actor who most recently played him — he’ll be appearing at the Batavia Emagine Theatre’s grand-opening events Wednesday and Thursday.
James Jude Courtney, an actor and stunt performer, is the most recent person to take up the character, portraying him in David Gordon Green’s “Halloween” (2018) and its two sequels. The Ohio native will attend Emagine celebrations in honor of the remake’s fifth anniversary.
A man who seemingly never dies, Michael Myers was made famous in John Carpenter’s 1978 slasher “Halloween.” Nearly half a century later and 13 franchise appearances later, the mass murderer remains a fan favorite, with children and adults alike donning his unsightly mask each season.
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The ribbon-cutting and grand-opening ceremony, which is raising money for Batavia United Way, kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday. At the sold-out event, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while taking in the theater’s amenities. “Halloween” will be shown, including a variety of new films, such as “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Fast X” and “The Little Mermaid.”
The theater, located at 550 N. Randall Road, the space of the defunct Randall 15 IMAX, will officially open to the public at noon Thursday. Fans will also have the chance to ask Courtney their burning questions at a special question-and-answer session beginning at 7 p.m. A limited number of tickets remain.
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One of Emagine Batavia’s draws is advertised to be the Super EMX auditorium, said to be the largest movie theater screen in Illinois. The auditorium features a 96-foot screen, a Dolby Atmos immersive sound system and 4K laser-projected images.
Comparatively, a typical movie theater screen is between 45 to 65 feet wide, and an IMAX screen is 72 feet wide.
Officials said Tuesday that final preparations on the Super EMX are still underway and noted the auditorium is “expected to open in the coming weeks.”
The cineplex, intended to be a luxurious and upscale theater, officials said, includes a total of 12 state-of-the-art auditoriums, all featuring heated recliners and “cuddle chairs.”
Movies aren’t the only fun to be had at Emagine. The space has a high roller room that features a full-service bar, video games, shuffleboard and four Brunswick Duckpin Social lanes.
RELATED: High Roller Room, Duckpin Bowling Planned For Batavia Emagine Theatre
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