The Phantom Menace will be stalking movie theaters one more time in December, but this time every penny earned will go to support charitable organizations.
According to Lucasfilm, the Star Wars prequel will return December 3 to more than 700 screens in 350 cities for a one-week engagement. The studio and distributor 20th Century Fox will then distribute all proceeds to local charities selected by theater owners.
"This is truly a unique event in the annals of the film industry, and we and our exhibition partners are thrilled to have this chance to give something back to our communities," said Tom Sherak, chairman of Twentieth Century Fox Domestic Film Group. "It has been gratifying to see so many people working so hard to bring off this exceptional undertaking."
Star Wars merchandising partners Hasbro and Lego will help market the charity revival screenings, while entertainment daily Variety reported that newspapers in most cities will donate free ad space to the limited run.
Charities set to benefit from the event include Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, several children's hospitals and various local chapters of the United Way.
"Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace" raised $5.3 million for children's charities in May, when it premiered in velvet-rope gala events in New York, London and nine other cities.
The film went on to gross $427.7 million in the United States in its original theatrical run and took in an additional $481 million overseas, making it the second biggest film of all time behind "Titanic."
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