Smithsonian Hosts Its First Hollywood Premiere

WASHINGTON — Abraham Lincoln rises from his chair at his memorial to keep the peace among warring characters from history who came to life in the premiere of the film, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian."

It was the first Hollywood premiere ever for the world's largest museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution, which is also the setting for the sequel to 2006's "Night at the Museum." And one of the most popular of its 19 museums, the National Air and Space Museum, rolled out the red carpet for stars of Hollywood and politics alike.

The film's stars, Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and Hank Azaria, mixed with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and members of Congress on Thursday.

Stiller, who starred in both movies, said he was happy the way the sequel turned out.

"The Smithsonian was the springboard for doing the whole thing again," Stiller said.

Stiller's character, security guard Larry Daley, comes to Washington to find his museum friends from the first movie, who had been shipped from New York to a mythical vault under the National Mall.

"Creatively, I think it turned out better than the first movie," Director Shawn Levy said.

The new film adds a romantic twist between Stiller's character and Amelia Earhart, played by Adams.

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"I have always admired women who take a step out of traditional roles and take a chance," Adams said. "She was able to make such an impact in a man's world."

After the first film, attendance shot up at New York's American Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian curators hope the same thing will happen this time around.

"This is really bringing the Smithsonian to life for a new audience," said U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., who is on the Smithsonian's board. "A lot of people haven't been here yet."

The Smithsonian Institution and 20th Century Fox have inked numerous promotional deals and have plans for a slew of movie-themed products. On Wednesday, game maker Majesco Entertainment Co. released the first video game to explore the halls of the Smithsonian after dark, following the movie's plotline.

Screen writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon also took on the roles of Orville and Wilbur Wright to make their 1903 plane fly again. Garant said the Smithsonian offered endless possibilities for their story.

"Every possible prop, every possible character _ they've got it," he said. "The sky's the limit."

The movie opens nationwide May 22.

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On the Net:

Night at the Museum Movie: http://www.nightatthemuseummovie.com/

Comments

[contemporarymom]

That was suppose to be how THIN not think he is. Must get coffee....

[contemporarymom]

Anyone else notice how ungodly think Ben Stiller has looked lately? The last couple of appearances at awards shows and interviews for this movie have him looking almost sickly thin.

Big fan hoping he's okay.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

"Believe it or not, a lot of movies don't get a wide release. Even the good ones"

Yes, because movie studios know that an intelligent movie on wide release would probably play to empty theatres.

[LMPE]

I'd have gone for two reasons:

To hear Robin Williams go after John Roberts (I suspect that he would have done so).

To get to be in the same room as Amy Adams.

[mungley]

Permanent Midnight was pretty Original. But I guess that was a while ago. So was Mystery Men.
I've heard Tropic Thunder was good too.

[ChangeNeeder]

I personally don't care what Adult critics think of it.

Kids are going to watch it, and who knows, maybe tell their parents they want to go to a real museum or even the Smithsonian.

G*d knows there tons of other junk out there to influence choices kids make.

[ellawensmom]

I believe Gore Vidal wrote a novel about characters coming to life in the Smithsonian after closing.

[JerseyTodd]

I'd prefer to see Night at the Museum meet Preston/Child's great book "Relic", which still has me a little creeped out about old museums... Run Ben Run.

http://www.amazon.com/Relic-Pendergast-Book-Douglas-Preston/dp/product-description/0812543262

[PresidentRobertBooth]

"Stiller when are you going to do something original?

This is abt the 3-4 permutation of this"


Movie audiences don't want originality.

Donnie Darko was original.

It went over the heads of 99% of the moviegoing public.

[punkindmb]

Believe it or not, a lot of movies don't get a wide release. Even the good ones.

[Jesse rogers]

Stiller when are you going to do something original?

This is abt the 3-4 permutation of this.