Fountain Place Cinema 8 is expecting a sellout crowd for the Dec. 22 premiere of the Warner Bros. movie “We Are Marshall.”

Diane Barnette, owner of Fountain Place Cinema 8 said she plans on having a full staff in anticipation of large crowds. “We will probably have everybody working,” Barnette said. “We are expecting a sellout for Friday’s premiere.”

There will be five showings starting Friday at 1 p.m. and ending with the 9:40 p.m. showing.

Times for the film are 1 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:40 p.m.

Barnette said at least 75 tickets have been ordered online.

“Last I looked we sold 75 tickets for the first day which is unusual because we don’t sell any for the first day,” Barnette said. “We got one print.”

Fountain Place was unable to acquire an actuator to show the movie on two screens. The auditorium seats 240.

Barnette said Fountain Place Cinema 8 has teamed up with Pepsi to offer fans a tailgate party starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m.

Pepsi will offer free hot dogs and refreshments to those in attendance before the showing of the film.

“We are having a tailgate party. The tailgate will start at 5 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.,” Barnette said. “Pepsi will be providing free hot dogs and hot chocolate to those in audience.”

In event of rain, the tailgate party will be moved indoors.

Door prizes will be given away and WVOW radio personalities Erin Williamson and Dave Allen will do a live show from the parking lot of Fountain Place Cinema 8.

Marshall alumni will be on hand to help pass food and assist with the tailgate.

Former Marshall football player and Logan Wildcat standout Michael “Kool-Aid” Owens will be on hand to sign autographs for the crowd and former Man Hillbillies standout Orlando Washington has been extended an invitation, but as of press time, it is unclear whether he has accepted that invitation.

As for area Marshall University cheerleaders, Barnette said she has not talked to any area cheerleaders, nor does she know their schedule.

As for the film, Barnette had an opportunity to watch the Huntington premiere with her daughter and came away very impressed with the finished product.

“It was awesome,” she said. “I actually thought it was just going to be a great movie that would do good locally, but after I saw the movie I think it will be a classic. It is not a chick flick, it is not a guy movie nor is it a football movie. It is a movie the girls, boys, moms, dads, kids and everybody will like.”

Barnette said they to place ushers around the cinema to help with any parking problems.

The length of the movie is two hours, 30 minutes.