EDINA, Minnesota USA — With a world premiere slated for later this month, the movie "The Astronaut Farmer," starring Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern and Independent Spirit Award nominee Tim Blake Nelson, is sure to be hit.

Warner Bros. Pictures is presenting a special advance screening tonight in Edina, Minnesota where hobby rocketry personality Ky Michaelson has the honors of introducing Thornton and Madsen along with writers/directors Mark and Michael Polish.  The event, held at the Southdale AMC Theaters at 7:00PM, is one of the stops on the movie public relations tour.

Dismissed from NASA's space program, former astronaut-in-training Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) pursues his lifelong dream by building his own rocket, in the Polish Brothers' family film "The Astronaut Farmer." On the eve of his launch, Farmer must battle foreclosure on his ranch and a small-town community of disbelievers, while simultaneously drawing heavy scrutiny and surveillance from the FBI, CIA, FAA and the U.S. military, all of which see him as a potential risk to civilian safety and will take the necessary steps to shut down his operation. But he remains determined to reach his goal and instill in his children the courage to pursue their own dreams, no matter the odds.

Directed by Michael Polish and written by Mark Polish & Michael Polish ("Twin Falls Idaho"), "The Astronaut Farmer" is produced by Mark Polish, Paula Weinstein ("Blood Diamond"), Len Amato (executive producer, "Blood Diamond") and Michael Polish, with J. Geyer Kosinski ("Beyond Borders") serving as executive producer. Joining the creative production team are director of photography M. David Mullen ("Shadowboxer"), production designer Clark Hunter ("Old School") and editor James Haygood ("Panic Room"). Robert Benjamin is the co-producer. Music is by Stuart Matthewman ("Twin Falls Idaho").

The world premiere will occur at 7:00PM on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at the Cinerama Dome, 6360 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California. Celebrity guests will be joined at the premiere by current and former astronauts.  The movie will be released nationwide on Friday, February 23, 2007.

"The Astronaut Farmer" has been rated "PG" by the Motion Picture Association of America for "thematic material, peril and language."

Contacts:
Warner Bros. Pictures
Broadcast: Kim Lerner, 818-954-6718
Print: Gina Soliz, 818-954-6705
Photo: Michael Taylor, 818-954-6585
Online: Orna Zadeh, 818-954-6290
Web: http://www.theastronautfarmermovie.com/