You Could Be in the Next ‘Star Wars’ Movie by Showing a Little Love to Kids

J.J. Abrams, director of the upcoming ‘Episode VII,’ has announced a partnership with crowdfunding site Omaze that benefits UNICEF.
May 21, 2014·
Culture and education editor Liz Dwyer has written about race, parenting, and social justice for several national publications. She was previously education editor at Good.

Right about now the heads of Star Wars aficionados around the globe are probably exploding like the Death Star. This morning, J.J. Abrams, the director of the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, announced that he’s going to put one lucky fan in the movie. To have a chance at that once-in-a-lifetime spot, all someone has to do is pony up $10 for charity.

No, that is not a typo, so go ahead and wipe the sweat off your brow and start dreaming of hanging with Princess Leia and Han Solo.

In the above video, which was shot in Abu Dhabi on the Episode VII set, the director shares details of Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative that is, says Abrams, “dedicated to finding creative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.” The new project’s first mission is a crowdfunding partnership with charity site Omaze that will raise cash for UNICEF Innovation Labs.

That’s where your $10 comes in. Donate through Omaze, and you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes that could send you and a friend to the film’s set at Pinewood Studios in London, where you’ll be Abrams’ VIP guest. You’ll even get the full costume and makeup treatment and be in the movie.

The more you donate, the more sweepstakes entries you’ll get, and you’ll also be sent Star Wars–related rewards. What kind of bonus swag are we talking? Donate $70, and you’ll get a sweet Force for Change limited edition poster. Donate $5,000, and you’ll receive a limited edition Episode VII light saber.

The winner will be selected by random drawing and will have to go through a background check—that’s so all those Star Wars stalkers with restraining orders won’t be able to cozy up to the actors on set.

There’s no word on which scene Abrams will put the winner in. Entries will be accepted through July 18. If the Force is with you and your name is drawn, fingers crossed that you don’t get dressed up as one of Jar Jar Binks’ cousins.