The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Imax Corporation has signed a deal with studio Warner Brothers to release up to 20 films through 2013.

Among the 15 films whose release dates are pending confirmation are Dark Shadows, Superman, and Batman 3.

The remaining 5 films that have been “locked” are the last two installments of the Harry Potter franchise: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (in 3D), Happy Feet 2, and The Hobbit in December 2013.

The snippet of the article gives no indication about whether the December 2013 release time frame pertains to the first or the second Hobbit film, nor whether the films will be in 3D. Only subscribers to the Wall Street Journal have access to the entire article, so anyone with the ability to do so is welcome to send in any details concerning The Hobbit films that might be in there to spymaster@theonering.net.

UPDATE: We’ve just received word that news about the 2013 release is WRONG, sorta. The FIRST Hobbit film is still set for 2012, and the second is set for 2013.

This was reported incorrectly on an IMAX press release and was picked up across the interweb.

No fear! The Hobbit 1 is set for 2012!