Hundreds snag tickets to 'Wolverine' premiere

About 600 regular people have their ticket to hobnob with Hollywood hotshots.

They received free tickets to the world premiere of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” — slated for April 27 at Tempe Marketplace — at a spirited announcement earlier Monday inside the shopping complex’s Harkins Cine Capri.

Report: Tempe wins ‘Wolverine’ premiere

“Everyone here in the auditorium will get one ticket to the world premiere!” Dan Harkins, the theater chain’s owner, said to a stadium-style theater packed full of men, women and children.

At Harkins’ announcement, the crowd promptly jumped to their feet and cheered.

“This is amazing!” said Harkins, beaming.

More tickets will be available to the general public for the highly anticipated movie’s star-studded premiere. All 16 of the theater’s auditoriums will screen the movie, opening up a total of 3,000 seats. Harkins said it will be the first premiere of its kind.

“It’s not available just to the VIPs and celebrities,” he said.

Information about how to obtain tickets will be available beginning noon Wednesday at HarkinsTheatres.com, said Harkins Theatres president and CEO Mike Bowers.

Today’s tickets were given away during an official announcement of Tempe as the site for the movie premiere. The city was selected after it received the most votes in an online contest held by Twentieth Century Fox. It beat out almost 3,000 other U.S. cities.

In a videotaped message to the audience, the film’s star, Hugh Jackman, said, “We’re going to bring the cast, a whole heap of red carpet and all the Hollywood touches,” to Tempe for the event. The Australian actor, along with co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Lieve Shreiber and a host of other celebrities, are expected to appear on the red carpet leading into the theater prior to show time.

“This is going to be a big spectator event, regardless of whether you’ve got a ticket or not,” said Bowers. “All the logistics are being hammered out in the next couple of days, but it’ll definitely be an exterior experience aside from the premiere of the film inside the theaters.”

He recommends checking the Harkins Web site throughout the week for more details.

“It’s the first time in a long time I’ve been speechless. I was in shock,” said Kfir Kron, 23, of Chandler. The Scottsdale Community College film student was in the audience for the announcement. “We may not be able to sit right there with the cast, but this is amazing. It’s almost unrealistic.”

Jacque Sessoms, 27, arrived at the theater around 10:30 a.m. with her 53-year-old father, Stan Sessoms. The pair had heard that tickets were being given away to the first 100 people in line and brought their camp chairs to stake out a spot in line.

“I’m a fan of X-Men, Hugh Jackman, virtually every comic book movie. I love Marvel, so I’m very excited. I’ll be here on the 27th with my camera, hoping to get a picture of Hugh — and maybe some sweat!” said the Tempe architecture professional.

Those who were in the theater for the announcement will be contacted later this week with details about how to get their tickets.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Harkins. “I got to be Santa Claus today.”

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” opens in theaters nationwide May 1.