Screening Event Idea: Host a Tommy Egan Marathon Ahead of the Potential Film

Hook: Turn fan frustration into a sell-out event

Fans want one place to relive Tommy Egan’s most brutal, brilliant moments and to rally around the next chapter. If you run a cinema or a fan group, you’re probably hearing the same pain points: scattered streaming windows, uncertainty about a potential Tommy Egan film, and a desire for communal experiences. Hosting a Tommy Egan marathon—timed with the Power Universe news cycle—solves all of that: it concentrates attention, drives ticket sales, and creates shareable moments that keep fans coming back.

Why now? The 2026 moment for Power Universe events

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought big developments for the Power franchise: the series finale of Power Book IV: Force and renewed teases from creators and Joseph Sikora about future Tommy-centered projects. Starz’s expanding franchise strategy and rising demand for live fandom experiences in 2024–2026 make this an ideal moment to program a marathon.

In practical terms, that means three opportunities for cinemas and fan groups:

• Build buzz ahead of any official film announcement by creating a local event that aggregates fans.
• Monetize fandom with tiered ticket packages, add-ons, and partnerships.
• Establish your venue as the local hub for franchise events—good will that pays off for future releases.

Big-picture programming choices

Decide the tone and scope before you schedule the room. Will this be a hardcore four-season deep dive or a curated “Tommy essentials” night? Your choices will shape logistics, ticket pricing, and audience size.

Programming formats (pick one)

• Essential Marathon (4–6 hours): Key Tommy episodes across Power, Power Book II: Ghost, and Power Book IV: Force—ideal for a single evening with intermissions.
• Full Immersion (8–12 hours): Multiple seasons or back-to-back series blocks—best for weekends or a full-day fan festival.
• Launch Party (2–3 hours): Curated clips, recaps, and a live Q&A—perfect for building hype the week of a film announcement.
• Hybrid Watch Party: In-person screening with a live-streamed Q&A or virtual ticket tier for remote fans.

Episode selection strategy

If you choose a curated format, pick episodes that track Tommy’s character arc: origin moments, major turning points, standout action scenes, and the most discussed finale beats from Power Book IV: Force. Keep runtime manageable—aim for a total screening time that matches your audience: 4–6 hours for casual crowds, 8–12 for hardcores.

Licensing & technical must-dos

This is non-negotiable: secure screening rights before promotion. For Power Universe content that belongs to Starz, you’ll need a theatrical/event license. Don’t assume streaming rights translate to public exhibition rights.

• Contact rights holders early: Reach out to Starz or their authorized licensing agents 8–12 weeks before your event.
• Get the right formats: Request a DCP or high-quality broadcast master and confirm closed captions and audio specs.
• Clear trailers & ads: If you play studio trailers or sponsor ads, confirm permission to show them publicly.

Tip: rights teams can sometimes co-promote events or provide promotional assets—ask for social banners, stills, or even a short studio message.

Pricing and ticket package strategies

Deploy tiered pricing to maximize revenue and appeal to different fan types. Below are sample packages and practical add-ons you can implement at scale.

Sample ticket tiers

• General Admission — Basic seat, access to all screenings. Best for casual fans.
• Marathon Pass — Early entry, seat reservation, one themed concession item (e.g., “Tommy’s Shot” beverage). Good for committed fans.
• VIP/Talent Tier — Premium seating, swag bag (poster, enamel pin), priority Q&A line, photo-op ticket (if available).
• Group Pack — Discounted bundles for groups of 4–8. Excellent for fan clubs and local businesses.
• Virtual Ticket — Live-stream access to the Q&A, a digital swag pack, and an on-demand version of the curated content for 48–72 hours.

Pricing guidelines

Price according to runtime and value-added items. Example:

• General: $15–25
• Marathon Pass: $30–45
• VIP: $75–150 (depends on swag and whether talent is present)
• Virtual: $10–20

Always offer early-bird pricing and a small number of discounted community seats for partners (local libraries, colleges, fan groups) to build goodwill and reach.

Onsite experience: make it immersive

Transform the cinema into a Power Universe microcosm. Fans come for the show but stay for the atmosphere.

Venue decor & activations

• Photo wall with a Tommy Egan mural or neon signage for social posts.
• Props and set pieces—cars, faux warehouse facades, or a “Tommy chair” for photos.
• Costume contest with prizes and social voting—good for user-generated content.

Themed concessions

• Signature cocktails/non-alcoholic drinks with branded cups
• Combo upgrades for marathon viewers (large soda + snack package)
• Limited-run menu items tied to characters or episodes

Merch & partners

Sell or partner to stock posters, pins, and curated items. Local vendors (streetwear shops, tattoo studios, barbers) often love co-branded promotions.

Q&A and talent elements: live, virtual, or hybrid

A Q&A is the headline draw for superfans. But it must be planned to reduce risk and maximize engagement.

Who to invite

• Local cast or crew (if available)
• Podcast hosts and fan community leaders who cover Power
• Film critics or academics who can contextualize Tommy’s arc

Format options

• In-person — Highest impact, best for VIP ticket holders. Consider travel logistics for talent and pay speaker fees.
• Virtual — Live Zoom or stream with moderated questions. Lower cost, expands reach.
• Hybrid — In-person audience with streamed Q&A for virtual ticket holders. Use dual-camera setups to keep both audiences engaged.

Moderation & structure

Assign an experienced moderator to manage pacing. Structure the Q&A with 10–15 minutes for an intro, 25–35 minutes of fan questions, and a closing segment for announcements. Collect pre-submitted questions during ticket purchase to ensure strong content and to accommodate shy attendees.

Pro tip: Pre-screen and group questions by theme (origin, character motivations, production logistics). This keeps the conversation sharp and prevents dead air.

Local marketing plan that converts

Use hyperlocal strategies combined with franchise-wide signals to reach fans. The following tactics convert best in 2026, when gadget-driven events and community signals dominate discovery.

8–12 week promotional timeline

1. Week 8–12: Secure rights, confirm dates, book talent, and create event branding.
2. Week 6–8: Launch tickets (early-bird) and begin paid social campaigns targeting interests: Power, Joseph Sikora, Starz, crime dramas.
3. Week 4–6: Activate local partners—bars, comic shops, tattoo studios—for cross-promo; send press releases to local entertainment outlets.
4. Week 2–4: Amplify with influencer invites, community Discord/Reddit posts, and last-chance email campaigns.
5. Week 0–1: Final reminders, UGC contests, and on-site staff briefings.

Channels and messages

• Paid social: Use carousel ads with episode stills and clear CTAs. Target lookalike audiences of known Power viewers.
• Email: Segment tickets buyers vs. general list. Use urgent subject lines like “Final seats: Tommy Egan Marathon This Saturday.”
• Community outreach: Post in fan groups on Facebook, Reddit (r/PowerTV), and Discord servers. Offer moderators free or discounted tickets in exchange for cross-posts.
• Podcasts & local media: Pitch your event as a community story—focus on local fan culture and the uniqueness of a theatrical marathon.
• SMS & last-minute sales: Use an SMS blast for same-day availability and post-event upsells (merch, on-demand access).

Creative hooks that work in 2026

• “See Tommy’s story on the big screen before the next chapter”—capitalizes on film speculation.
• “Cosplay & Cocktails: Dress like a Power character and win VIP upgrades”—encourages UGC.
• “Marathon + Live Q&A with [Local Podcaster]”—ties an influencer to your event.

Safety, accessibility, and community standards

Plan for accessibility and safety up front. Offer captions, wheelchair seating, and clear content advisories for violence or mature themes. Provide simple on-site rules about cosplay props and guest conduct. These steps protect your venue and encourage inclusive attendance.

Measurement: what success looks like

Track these KPIs to evaluate and improve future events:

• Ticket sell-through rate (early bird vs. final)
• Average revenue per attendee including concessions and merch
• Engagement metrics: social shares, hashtag usage, UGC entries
• Retention: number of attendees who sign up for future event alerts or buycasts

Collect feedback via a quick post-event survey and use it to refine your next marathon—data-driven tweaks are what turn one-off events into annual traditions.

Sample 1-day run-of-show (Marathon Essential, 6 hours)

• 5:00 PM — Doors open, merchandise & photo wall live
• 5:30 PM — Intro montage and house rules
• 5:45 PM — Block 1 screening (90 minutes)
• 7:15 PM — 20-minute intermission, concessions push
• 7:35 PM — Block 2 screening (90 minutes)
• 9:05 PM — 15-minute stretch break
• 9:20 PM — Block 3 screening (60 minutes) — finale-focused
• 10:20 PM — Live Q&A (30–45 minutes)
• 11:05 PM — Afterparty/mingling or event close

Checklist: 8 weeks out

• Secure screening rights and media assets
• Confirm venue tech specs and DCP delivery
• Book moderator, talent, or special guests
• Create ticket packages and pricing
• Design event page, social banners, and email flows
• Lock in partners for merch and concessions
• Begin paid advertising and community outreach

Final notes from the field

We’ve seen venues double down on event cinema in 2024–2026, and the Power Universe is tailor-made for that strategy: passionate fandom, serialized storytelling, and franchise momentum. Whether you’re a small independent cinema or a grassroots fan group, a well-produced Tommy Egan marathon can position you as a local cultural hub and create lasting revenue streams.

“If you give fans a place to gather and a reason to come back, you don’t just sell tickets—you build a community.”

Call to action

Ready to program your Tommy Egan marathon? Start by checking rights availability with Starz and mapping your 8–12 week timeline. Use our sample ticket tiers and run-of-show as a template and reach out to local fan communities this week. If you want a printable checklist or a customizable email template to recruit partners and moderators, click through to download our event kit and make your screening the Power Universe event your city will talk about.

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