Kristen Stewart, left, is Bella and Taylor Lautner is Jacob in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." Both actors will come to Knoxville for a benefit premiere of "New Moon" on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Regal Cinemas' Pinnacle 18 at Turkey Creek.

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Bella and her would-be new beau — or at least the actors who play them — will come to Knoxville for the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Regal Cinemas’ Pinnacle 18 at Turkey Creek.

Kristen Stewart, who stars as Bella Swan in both “New Moon” and the film series’ 2008 breakout first release, “Twilight,” will be accompanied in Knoxville by actor Taylor Lautner, whose werewolf Jacob Black was a secondary character in the first film, though his deepening relationship with Bella catapults him into a lead role in “New Moon.”

Regal has annually presented major-film premieres in Knoxville since 2003 to benefit Variety — The Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee, and interest in “New Moon” has been unprecedented.

Since the July announcement of the upcoming screening, Regal has been “inundated ... from all corners of the United States (plus) Canada and Mexico,” said Greg Dunn, president and chief operating officer of Regal Entertainment Group. “It’s a must-see event, and it’s happening in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“By far, this is going to be our most successful event,” said Dunn, who estimated the benefit screening will raise in excess of $400,000 for Variety, a Regal-founded organization that aids numerous local and area children’s charities. The film’s production company, Summit Entertainment, is partners with Regal for the “New Moon” benefit.

In addition to the tickets that will be distributed to sponsors and Variety patrons, there will be a limited number of tickets available to the public, distributed by drawing.

Fans can register for the drawing from Oct. 9-11 exclusively at Regal Cinemas locations in Knoxville — Pinnacle Stadium 18, West Town Mall Stadium 9, Riviera Stadium 8, Knoxville Center Stadium 10 and Downtown West 8. Registration will be during the theaters’ regular business hours, and there is no purchase necessary.

Those who register must be 18 or older, and only one entry per person will be accepted.

Winners’ names will be drawn Nov. 3, and they will be given the opportunity to purchase two general admission tickets for $100 each. Tickets are not for re-sale, and ticketholders must show valid identification before admittance to the event.

In “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which like its predecessor is based on Stephenie Meyer’s popular novel series, teenage Bella is heartbroken when the vampire she loves (Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson) abandons her for her own safety, and her friend Jacob attempts to fill the void. The 2008 film made nearly $400 million worldwide at the box office.

The only other scheduled premiere of “New Moon” is a red-carpet event in Los Angeles on Nov. 16, the evening before the Knoxville premiere.

Unlike Regal’s Knoxville premieres, the general public is rarely given the opportunity to buy tickets to such events in Los Angeles. But in Knoxville, those with tickets will be able to view the red-carpet entrance of the “New Moon” stars and attend a catered reception in the theater lobby plus see the movie.

“New Moon” debuts in theaters nationwide on Friday, Nov. 20.

For more information, call Variety at 865-925-9906.

Entertainment editor Chuck Campbell may be reached at 865-342-6443.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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