Jeffrey Epstein’s private island was filled with over-the-top amenities. A helipad for quick escapes. Its own dock for visiting yachts. Guest villas and swimming pools and an exclusive stretch of beach — not to mention that creepy dentist chair that nobody’s been able to explain. But it turns out there was one luxury indulgence he was never able to acquire: his own Imax theater.
According to emails that Rambling has unearthed from the Epstein files, the late billionaire sex criminal was drawing up plans to install a jumbo-screen theater on his Caribbean property. “We are pleased to provide this proposal for the following work, best described as 6 seat IMAX Theater for the Little Saint James residence in the US Virgin Islands,” reads one 2014 email from a New York-based company called House Systems, which goes on to describe “dual-projection 4K 3D technology,” “immersive surround sound” and “luxury automated seating.” The price tag: a cool $2.25 million.
Epstein didn’t close the deal, but he clearly couldn’t get the idea out of his head. Four years later, in 2018, he corresponded with a different Imax representative, this one offering a similar setup (including a “3 year VIP customer support line” with “24/7 365 service support”) for $2.3 million.
“IMAX is going to do a few drawings for us (got them included for free in proposal) that we can pass on to architects/contractors if we do design build,” the rep promised. Not long after, an email arrived with blueprints for the theater — schematics that included a 600-inch screen and two rows of three oversized seats. But less than a year later, Epstein was arrested. The theater was never built.
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Also in Rambling Reporter:
Sheriff Chris Nanos doesn’t just run the police department investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance — he’s the brains behind A&E’s reality cop show ‘Desert Law.’ And a thorn in the side of right-wing media.
Why despite being a Sundance hit, Courtney Love is reshooting her documentary.
This story appeared in the Feb. 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
