AKRON -- The soap box derby-themed "25 Hill" movie trailer and new poster are now out in advance of July 9-10 world premiere in Akron.
The movie was written, directed and stars Corbin Bernsen and 13-year-old Nathan Gamble. Bernsen's Team Cherokee Productions has posted a brand-new poster and the movie's trailer on the 25 Hill website.
Watch the trailer
The two-minute trailer begins with a sweeping view of downtown Akron from the Goodyear Blimp and includes thrilling scenes filmed at last year's real-life All American Soap Box Derby, which has been held in Akron for 76 years.
The family-oriented movie, nearly two years in the making, was filmed mainly in familiar Northeast Ohio locations, including the City of Green, Cleveland and Silver Lake.
Thousands of area residents served as extras and stand-ins in the film. A few had larger roles. The musical score was written by Akron native Lee Strauss, a graduate of Hudson High School and the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
The film tells the story of Trey Caldwell, played by Nathan Gamble ("Dark Knight," "Marley & Me") and his quest to win - and save - the All American Soap Box Derby, which has been struggling financially in recent years. Bernsen was inspired to write the script after reading a story in USA Today about the derby's real-life money troubles.
The world premiere begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 9th and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 10th, at the Akron Civic Theatre during downtown Akron's Italian-American Festival.
Sunday's matinee is geared toward families with younger children while Saturday's is more of an adult affair (although children are welcome).
Some tickets remain for Saturday and Sunday's showing, but are moving quickly as the world premiere date approaches, according to Howard Parr, director of the Civic. Buy tickets
The historic 1920s-era Civic on South Main Street in downtown Akron is one of a handful of "atmospheric" theatres left in the country; it has stars and clouds that move across its ceiling in a perpetual night sky.
The new red, white and blue poster, which is used in the film's promotional materials, shows a victorious Trey Caldwell pumping his fists in the air as he stands beside the derby car he built with former derby champion Roy Gibbs, played by Bernsen.
The premiere will be a true Hollywood affair, with a red carpet, spotlights and personal appearances by the stars of the film, including Bernsen, Gamble and Bailee Madison, who plays Trey Caldwell's tough-as-nails nemesis, Kate.
Tim Omundson, who plays Trey's dad in "25 Hill" and stars with Bernsen on USA Network's "Psych," will also be at the premiere. Omundson's wife is the former Allison Cowley, a graduate of Firestone High School, whose parents still live in Akron. Doors open an hour before show time.
The ticket packages are $25 each for Saturday and $30 for two on Sunday and include a DVD of the film, which will be given out after the movie.
Buy premiere tickets using the Ticketmaster system.
Buyers are given the option to buy tickets by phone or online and pay a fee, or pick up the tickets without a surcharge at the Akron Civic Theatre Box Office, 182 S. Main Street, downtown Akron.
Those you cannot pick up their DVD the day of the showing may arrange for pick up through the film's web site.
A portion of the proceeds go to fund the All American Soap Box Derby. The film has already raised more than $150,000 for the derby.
WKYC-TV