Disney/Pixar's 'Brave' Premiere Will Mark Opening of Dolby Theatre

The landmark Hollywood theater that hosts the Academy Awards — once known as the Kodak Theatre — will reopen as the Dolby Theatre with the premiere of the Disney Pixar feature Brave next month, officials said.

A red carpet gala on June 18 will mark the opening of both the Dolby Theater and the film, which will be presented in 3-D, Disney officials announced.

"'Brave is an epic tale set in the mystical Scottish Highlands where the film's headstrong protagonist, Merida, is forced to discover the meaning of true bravery," according to a promotional blurb. It is set to hit theatres nationwide on June 22.

The 180,000-square-foot, 3,400-seat Dolby Theatre will be a world stage for entertainment and a top venue to host world premieres and launch events, promoters hope. In addition to the Oscars, the Cirque du Soleil show "Iris" plays at the theater, in the Hollywood & Highland complex.

The city of Los Angeles subsidized the building's parking garage construction in a move that is credited with jumpstarting the area of Grauman's Chinese Theater as a major tourist draw. The city also put up a $30 million loan to remodel the new theater to accommodate trapezes and other unusual equipment for the "Iris" production.

Dolby vice president Ramzi Haidamus said the Dolby Theatre will be used to showcase the company's technologies. "This is the first of many exclusive and exciting events — from movie premieres to awards ceremonies — in which Dolby and our technologies will play a featured role."

The opening of Brave will also kick off the 18th annual Los Angeles Film Festival.

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