Notorious former NSA analyst-turned fugitive Edward Snowden is set to appear live in U.S. theaters via satellite along with director Oliver Stone for a special one-night event ahead of the highly anticipated biopic Snowden.
According to a press release from AMC Theaters, Snowden Live will give “audiences the opportunity to be the first to see Snowden on the big screen and hear directly from the man who inspired it all and the filmmaker who brought his story to life during an exclusive live interview between Snowden (via satellite in Moscow) and Stone (live from NYC).”
Snowden Live is set for Wednesday, September 14 at select U.S. theaters. The event is being put on by Open Road Films, the studio distributing Snowden in the U.S., in conjunction with Fathom Events, which broadcasts entertainment events live in theaters.
Snowden stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the titular hero/traitor, who fled to Russia in 2013 and is currently facing espionage charges from the United States government.
Snowden Live will mark a rare public appearance for the former NSA operative, though he has given lectures and appeared live via satellite in the United States before.
Snowden joined Stone and Gordon-Levitt for a Comic-Con panel via Google Hangout from Russia in July.
“I don’t think anybody looks forward to having a movie made about themselves, particularly somebody who’s a privacy advocate,” Snowden said at the time. “Some of my family members have said, ‘He sounds just likes you.’ For me, it sounds weird because the voice in your head is never the same thing, but if he passes the family test, he’s doing all right.”
Gordon-Levitt has drawn early praise for his portrayal of Snowden, with the man’s family reportedly endorsing the actor’s performance.
In March, Stone revealed that he’d held secret meetings with Snowden in Russia to prepare for the film. The Academy Award-winning director also said that he transferred the film’s entire production to Germany to avoid possible interference from the NSA.
Snowden is in theaters on September 16, and also stars Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto, Scott Eastwood and Nicolas Cage. The film makes its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9.
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