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Show up early to see 'Wolverine' stars
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RED CARPET: The cast of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," from left, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Liev Schreiber, Hugh Jackman, Tim Pocock, Ryan Reynolds and Lynn Collins, are among stars attending the Valley premiere Monday. 20th Century Fox
When Hugh Jackman arrives Monday in the Valley for the world premiere of his new movie, the masses will definitely know it.
The Aussie heartthrob and the rest of the cast of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” will be escorted by DPS patrol cars from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Harkins Theatres at Tempe Marketplace, their every move tracked by local radio DJs broadcasting from the theater’s northeast parking lot.
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Fans are invited to show up there as early as 5 a.m. Monday for a free red-carpet event dubbed “The World Premiere Event Experience.”
“We’re expecting an enormous crowd,” says Harkins spokesman Bryan Laurel. “Based on the number of phone calls, e-mails and walk-up questions at the theater, thousands of people are going to be there just for the red carpet.”
In addition to Jackman, actors Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber, Will.i.am, Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins will attend the Hollywood-style event. Local personalities Shaquille O’Neal, Alice Cooper and Matt Leinart are also expected to show.
Commitments from more stars are in the works, according to a source within Allied Advertising, the entertainment promotions firm helping to produce the event.
The celebrities aren’t due to arrive until 5:30 p.m., but a pre-event leading up to their grand entrance will begin at 4 p.m. Until then, plan to do a lot of waiting around. Spectators are advised to bring water, sunscreen and other items to survive a full day in the sun. Food will be sold on-site from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The cast will walk the red carpet and appear on a stage at the event, where it’s suspected Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman may present Jackman with the keys to the city.
“Our goal is to have as many people there as possible, as close as possible. It’s Fox’s way of thanking the community for being so enthusiastic about this movie,” says Andrew Ramsammy, a logistics coordinator working on the event.
“We’re hoping that people will be lined up along the sides of the red carpet, greeting the cast. I think the cast is going to want to stop along the way and talk to people, shake hands, maybe take pictures. The reason they’re doing this and that Fox held the contest in the first place is because they want people to be a part of the experience.”
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