SXSW 2013 lineup: 'Incredible Burt Wonderstone' and 'Evil Dead' set for big premieres

Steves Carrell and Buscemi star in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," SXSW 2013's opening night film.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Are you a fan of SXSW?

Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.

Sign Up ► More Instant Alert Options ►

Never miss a post - sign up now to get an e-mail alert whenever
SXSW is updated

Close

Or

SIGN UP with Facebook

Sign Up ►

More Instant Alert Options ►

At this year's SXSW film festival, magic will be in the air.

"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," a comedy starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as Las Vegas illusionists who are forced to step up their game after a street magician played by Jim Carrey begins to make waves, has been chosen as the Austin festival's opening night selection. Directed by big-time TV helmer Don Scardino ("30 Rock," "Royal Pains") and also starring Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin and James Gandolfini, the film will make its world premiere on March 8, 2013.

Included in SXSW's "Wonderstone" announcement are six other films slated to make either their world or U.S. premieres at the festival, including Fede Alvarez's ultra-gory "Evil Dead" remake (set visit); Harmony Korine's unconventional crime dramedy "Spring Breakers" starring Selena Gomez and James Franco; the Alex Winter documentary "Downloaded," which charts the rise and fall of Napster; writer-director Joe Swanberg's romantic dramedy "Drinking Buddies" starring Jake Johnson, Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick; "Everyone's Going to Die", the first feature from the British filmmaking collective Jones; and "Good Ol' Frieda," a documentary about the Beatles' longtime secretary Freda Kelly that was directed by Ryan White ("Pelada").

In addition to these announced premieres (the rest of the lineup, with the exception of Shorts and Midnighters, will be announced on Jan. 31), several new panel discussions and workshops have been added to the festival's schedule, including A Conversation with Matthew McConaughey (guess what that entails) and a presentation that will include a first look at the pilot for A&E's upcoming "Psycho" prequel series 'Bates Motel."

25 Most Anticipated movies of 2013: 'Man of Steel,' 'Pacific Rim,' 'Ender's Game'

Launch Gallery   ►

Chris Eggertsen
Producer

• Follow

A former contributor to sites including Bloody-Disgusting and AfterElton, Eggertsen enjoys rock music, rainy days and smelling the pages of old books. You should read all of his articles and follow him on Twitter because it's the right thing to do.