Cape expects 'Gone Girl' screening Oct. 2

Like the clues that pervade the mystery novel "Gone Girl," plans for celebrating the movie's premiere in Cape Girardeau are starting to add up.

The major motion picture, parts of which were filmed in town last year, will have its nationwide release Oct. 3. It appears, however, local theatergoers may get an early peek at the much-anticipated film.

Kevin Dillon, general manager of Cape West 14 Cine, said he expects to show the film the previous day.

"There should be showings on Oct. 2. Yes," he said.

It seems the only earlier viewing will be Sept. 26, to kick off the New York Film Festival.

Chuck Martin, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the "Gone Girl" planning committee, established in June, wants to make the weekend of the film's premiere "just as special as we can for the greater Cape Girardeau area."

The committee -- consisting of representatives from Cape Girardeau, visitors bureau, Old Town Cape, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape West 14 Cine and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau -- hopes to have the film on multiple screens at the cinema complex. Dillon said the number of screens is still to be determined.

"The calendar is pretty full of other products that weekend, but we certainly want to give 'Gone Girl' the due it deserves," Dillon said.

During the premiere, the plan is to have a red carpet for theater patrons and a Hollywood-style photo backdrop, along with klieg lights playing across the night sky, said Martin, who added the casino is planning a "great after-party the evening after the film's initial showing."

"The theater will have a movie premiere feel to it, with a media wall where people can have their picture taken in front of it," Dillon said.

Mayor Harry Rediger said details for the film's Cape Girardeau debut and surrounding festivities are "a bit fuzzy" and may remain so for a "few weeks or so."

"Typically, the film is released the night before" its official opening, he said.

Martin said the committee has "been diligently working with the Missouri Film Office, representatives from 20th Century Fox and Wehrenberg Theatres," owners of Cape West 14 Cine, which eventually will announce screening times and dates.

While the mayor said the committee was "hoping to get someone from the cast or the director or someone" to attend the Cape Girardeau premiere, Dillon said Friday the chances of that were slim.

"We just received information from Fox that, unfortunately, all the talent is tied up. No one is available," Dillon said,

In the meantime, those who want to gear up for the film are invited to participate a scavenger hunt -- dubbed "The Hunt for Amy," after the film's main character, Amy Dunne, whose disappearance is the plot's nucleus -- sponsored by a few downtown businesses.

The hunt will start with a call for fictional volunteers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Cup 'n' Cork, 11 S. Spanish St.; fictional search parties will be established, and clues will be distributed. Groups will have until 5 p.m. Sept. 27 to complete the hunt.

That evening, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the upper deck of Dockside, 4 N. Spanish St., prizes will be awarded.