Ron Carter admits his latest campaign involving the Strand Theater in Zelienople is way out there. Matter of fact, the idea is ridiculous. But the result he's hoping for is just too much fun to pass up.

Mr. Carter, who has spearheaded the effort to restore the 95-year-old Strand since 2001, intends to bring the premiere of a major Hollywood motion picture to Zelienople, population about 4,100.

"It would be absolutely hilarious if we could pull this off," laughed Mr. Carter. "I think Hollywood would get a big kick out of it, too."

It was announced last week via movie industry Web sites and on YouTube.com that the makers of the Marvel Comics-based action movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," were sponsoring a contest in which the American ZIP code that gets the most online votes before April 17 will host the movie's premiere.

The movie's star, Hugh Jackman, would be present at the premiere.

"Can you imagine Hugh Jackman touring the Strand?" Mr. Carter asked.

"It would be the pinnacle of what we're doing."

The theater, which is nearly restored but isn't complete, wouldn't be ready for the movie's May 1 premiere, but folks at the Strand and in the borough can deal with that hurdle when they win the contest, Mr. Carter said.

If his prediction sounds overly optimistic, Mr. Carter refers to the section of the movie's Web site that deal with votes. Towns with the most votes are marked on a map of the United States by the biggest circles.

Zelienople's circle for the ZIP Code 16063 is indeed the biggest, compared with a variety of others shown in this part of the country.

"I am watching it closely every day," Mr. Carter said.

Mr. Carter, a self-professed theater and super-hero geek, learned about the contest on superherohype.com. The bells went off immediately.

"I figured 'let's go for it,' " Mr. Carter said. "What's the worst that can happen? They don't come? OK, what else do ya got?"

He figures small towns in general, and Zelienople in particular, have a good chance to win the contest because votes from major metropolitan areas will be broken up by a variety of ZIP Codes.

Last week Mr. Carter sent out e-mails to everyone he knows requesting they vote for Zelienople via its ZIP Code: 16063. He also asked everyone he knows to tell everyone they know about the contest. The response, he said, has been more than encouraging.

Jack Cohen, executive director of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said he has forwarded Mr. Carter's request to the bureau's members and asked them to forward it as well. Bringing the movie's premiere to Zelienople is nothing but a win-win for the borough, the county and the region, he added.

"It would be a recognition of Western Pennsylvania and evidence that small-town USA still exists," he said, adding the whole idea is, simply put, fun.

"Really, what's the downside?" he asked. "We have too many people here? Main Street Zelienople is too crowded?"

Mr. Carter said everyone in the region should go online and vote for Zelienople because movie-makers are always looking for interesting suburban areas, and the region has too many to count.

"Let's get the word out," he said. "Vote early, vote often. Tell your friends to vote early and often, too. Vote Zelienople and you can say we were a part of something ridiculously fun."

To vote for Zelienople, go to www.x-menorigins.com, enter the site and under navigation on the main page, go to "hometown premiere." Follow the prompts and type in 16063 to cast your vote.

The contest ends April 17. The winner will be announced April 20.