‘Star Wars’ Contest: You Could Be The Latest Actor To Join The Cast [Video]

Star Wars: Episode VII has started filming, and director J.J. Abrams is looking for a die-hard Star Wars fan to be in the movie. Abrams, in partnership with UNICEF, has released a video message to announce the exciting contest.

In the video, Abrams is seen on the set of Star Wars in Abu Dhabi. The contest was planned to raise funds for the “Star Wars: Force for Change” initiative, which is a program to benefit ailing children around the world.

Funds raised from the contest will be used for providing solar-powered learning kits, mobile phone applications, and text messaging solutions for receiving medical results for infants. These will be donated to communities in the Philippines, Uganda, South Sudan, China, Burundi, and other countries in need.

What does it cost to get the chance to be in the new Star Wars movie? Fans will just have to donate $10 to the initiative for one chance to win the prize.

Slashfilm reports that the winner of the contest will get free airfare and accommodations in London for the winner and a guest. The winner will also get the opportunity to meet members of the Star Wars: Episode VII cast, and be Abrams’ VIP guest on the closed set of the movie. Best of all, the winner and the guest will be transformed into Star Wars characters by the film’s makeup and costume teams to prepare them for their scene.

Fans who donate more money to the charity will be qualified for Kickstarter-style prizes, which include a card from Abrams worth $40, and the opportunity to attend a private advanced screening of the film worth $50,000.

The contest video is also the first look at the filming of Star Wars in Abu Dhabi, and some say that it is the location for Tatooine. There is even an alien that interrupts Abrams as he talks about the contest.

Fans who are interested to join the contest can head on to Omaze, the fundraising platform, where there are 12 levels to choose from, ranging from Supporter ($10) to Jedi Grand Master of the Order ($50,000), and fans will receive amazing goodies for their donations, such as Star Wars posters, limited edition concept artworks, limited edition Chewbacca busts, and a lot more.

Fans who share the link to the contest via Twitter or Facebook also get additional entries every time a friend donates through their link.

According to First Showing, the contest will run until July 18 at 11:59 pm PST.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled for release on December 18, 2015.