NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — Natchez will host the red carpet Mississippi premiere of "Get On Up" later this month with the director and headline star in attendance.
The world premiere of the Tate Taylor-helmed James Brown biopic starring Chadwick Boseman will be July 21 in New York City, followed by an opening in Brown's hometown of Augusta, Georgia, July 24.
The Natchez screening will be 7 p.m. July 26, and the film will open nationwide Aug. 1.
The majority of the motion picture — which depicts the life of the Godfather of Soul from the time he was 5 years old until he was 60 — was shot in and around Natchez, and many area residents were cast as extras.
The Natchez premiere will serve as a fundraiser for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society at the offering of Taylor, NACHS Treasurer David Paradise said.
Because the premiere will be limited to 200 seats, the humane society has been reaching out to people who have donated in the past to extend invitations, Paradise said.
"We are inviting folks, and it looks like everybody is accepting," he said.
Paradise said his understanding is that Universal Studios will also reserve a screen for those who appeared in the movie locally.
Tickets to the premiere are $100 a person. It includes a pre-premiere party at Twin Oaks with food prepared by Chef Regina Charboneau, who owns Kings Tavern. Taylor and Boseman will be in attendance.
"This will be a fabulous event that will be well worth it," Charboneau said. "The movie crew was so supportive of King's Tavern, so this is my contribution back and a good way to help the humane society, as well."
NACHS President Kathy Fitch said many in the "Get On Up" crew volunteered time at the humane society during the two months they were filming in Natchez.
"They are very good animal folks, and we are very appreciative at the humane society," she said.
A second red carpet Mississippi event will be at 2 p.m. July 27 in Madison, and will serve as a fundraiser for Mission Mississippi.
Ticket packages for the Madison event include two options.
The first option is the $200-per-person director's package that includes a private screening of 'Get on Up' with Taylor and Boseman, refreshments during the movie, a limited-edition commemorative poster and a post-screening reception hosted by Gov. Phil Bryant and First Lady Deborah Bryant.
The second option is the individual screening package, which for $50 includes refreshments during the movie and a limited-edition commemorative poster.
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Tickets for the Madison event can be purchased online at getonupjackson.com or from the Mississippi Coliseum box office at 601-353-0603.
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