Cyber thriller War Games returns to big screen for 25th and sequel

Revisit a time when cell phones and MP3 players were “futuristic” and geeky underachiever David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) accidentally starts the countdown to World War III when WarGames returns to select movie theatres in a one night special presentation on July 24th. The event will feature interviews with the cast and crew of War Games, including Broderick and co-star Ally Sheedy, as they discuss the making of the 1983, $79 million box office hit WarGames and its relevance in today’s technology-driven world.

In this fast-paced cyber-thriller, computer hacker Lightman can bypass the most advanced security systems, break the most intricate secret codes and master even the most difficult computer games. But when he unwittingly taps into the Defense Department’s war computer, he initiates a confrontation of global proportions: World War III! Together with his girlfriend (Sheedy) and a wizardly computer genius (Tony Award® winner John Wood), Lightman must race against time to outwit his opponent…and prevent a nuclear Armageddon.

WarGames is presented on the big screen by NCM’s Fathom and MGM and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Thursday, July 24th at 7:30 p.m. local time at more than 300 select AMC, Cinemark, Goodrich Quality Theaters, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network – North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.

“NCM Fathom is excited to bring this classic back to theatres via our exclusive Digital Broadcast Network,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “It’s interesting to see where the world of technology was when WarGames was made in 1983 and how far we’ve advanced since.”

The event celebrates the DVD release of the 25th Anniversary Edition of WarGames featuring all new bonus material including director and writer commentaries and all-new featurettes.

Extending the WarGames franchise, MGM recently completed production on a new adventure entitled WarGames: The Dead Code. This WarGames sequel is set to premiere on DVD July 29th and features Matt Lanter (ABC’s “Commander in Chief”) in the title role as the feisty and troublesome computer hacker.

National CineMedia (NCM) operates the largest digital in-theatre network in North America through long-term agreements with its founding members, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark USA and Regal Entertainment Group, the three largest theatre operators in the U.S., and through multi-year agreements with several other theatre operators. NCM produces and distributes its FirstLook pre feature program; cinema and lobby advertising products; comprehensive meeting and event services and other entertainment programming content. NCM LLC’s national network includes over 17,000 screens of which over 14,500 are part of the company’s Digital Content Network (DCN). NCM’s network covers 170 Designated Market Areas (49 of the top 50). During 2007, approximately 685 million patrons attended movies shown in theatres currently included in our network. National CineMedia owns a 42.3% interest in and is the managing member of NCM. For additional information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.