Chicken Little, the Walt Disney Co.'s first digital 2005 3D movie, will soon have company when it is joined by a 3D version of 'Beauty and the Beast', including Disney's deal with IMAX Corp. to make 3D films.

The 3-D version of Oscar nominated Beauty and the Beast is just one of the 11-titles, Disney is readying for a 2010 screen debut. As well, Disney has also announced a five-picture deal with IMAX, beginning with Robert Zemeckis' 'A Christmas Carol' starring Jim Carry, to be released in time for the 2009 holiday season. Bolt the latest 3-D Disney film out in theatres this weekend, is their fifth 3D film, The Nightmare Before Christmas being their most successful 3D film, including Hannah Montana /Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour..

Because, tickets for 3-D films sell at a premium, major Hollywood studios began to ramp up 3-D film production a year ago, in an attempt to increase theatre attendance and prices.

However, the global economic downturn has slowed the installment of digital 3D projection systems by exhibitors, making wide releases difficult for the coming bumper crop of such films.