Regal premieres 'New Moon' in Knoxville

Regal premieres 'New Moon' in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Fans lined up Tuesday night as Regal welcomed two stars of "New Moon," the second movie in the highly popular "Twilight" series, in a benefit premiere.

Stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner spoke to the media and signed autographs for fans on the red carpet.

It was all hands on deck at the Regal Pinnacle 18 in Turkey Creek Monday. In addition to the regular theater staff, an extra crew of 75 people spent the day building props, setting up lights and making sure everything is perfect for the premiere.

"The guest list includes mostly sponsors. That's how the fundraiser is able to raise so much money," says Russ Nunley, Regal Entertainment Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. 

The proceeds benefit Variety, The Children's Charity of Eastern Tennessee.

"Variety is a non-profit organization that helps a lot of existing children's groups do good work," Nunley says.

The money goes to programs for kids across East Tennessee. 

Last year, Regal raised more than $300,000. This year's total will be announced at the premier. 

"I think everyone will be very pleased and even shocked at how much money can be raised by showing a movie one night here at the Pinnacle," Nunley says.

Winners for tickets to the screening were already selected and called for the opportunity to purchase two.

"New Moon" opens for its first public screening at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

But all 18 screens at the Pinnacle are already sold out for that time, so the theater has added a new 2:55 a.m. showing as well.

This is Regal Entertainment Group's seventh annual Tennessee benefit screening. Previous stars to visit Knoxville include Brendan Fraser, Will Ferrell and Jessica Simpson.

6 News Anchor/Reporter Jill McNeal and Reporter Jamie Lynn Drohan contributed to this report.