Spielberg's Latest Film To Premiere At SXSW In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — We may have lost an hour what with spring forward and all, but what we lost in chronology will be made up for during SXSW Day Three on Sunday, which promises big things — including the world premiere of Steven Spielberg's latest film.

As if the Spielberg connection weren't exciting enough, there are strong Texas ties to the film to be screened at the Paramount theater titled, "Ready Player One." It's based on the best-selling novel by Austin writer Ernest Cline. The local writer's debut novel is set in a dystopian 2044, with protagonist Wade Watts in a quest for an Easter egg amid the backdrop of a virtual reality game. No ordinary egg, the ovum unlocks a fortune in a world that has been decimated by an energy crisis.

Sounds fun, right? Rumors had floated around Austin for days about the possible launch of the Spielberg film in Austin, and SXSW organizers teased the film-loving crowd with a placeholder TBA (to be announced) in the slot meant for the screening. On Saturday, it was confirmed: The film will screen at 9:30 p.m. at the Paramount.

The film features more Texas ties, with homegrown thespian Tye Sheridan starring. You might remember Sheridan from his film debut "The Tree of Life," which was directed by Austin director Terrence Malick. "Ready Player One" will hit theaters in wide release March 29.

Here's the trailer:

That's not the only big-time movie to be launched at SXSW on Sunday. The film "You Can Choose Your Family," a comedy with Jim Gaffigan, Anna Gunn, Samantha Mathis and Logan Miller, will be launching on Sunday. IMDb describes the film this way: "Frank is the seemingly normal father of a loving family. However, his home life is hilariously turned upside down when his 17-year-old son discovers that his dad has a second family."

Horror film lovers won't be left out of the fun. The film "Hereditary" starring Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne and Alex Wolf will have its initial screening at SXSW on Sunday too. Here's how IMDb describes it: "When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited as it slowly destroys everything they know. Making his feature debut, writer-director Ari Aster unleashes a nightmare vision of a domestic breakdown that exhibits the craft and precision of a nascent auteur, transforming a familial tragedy into something ominous and deeply disquieting, and pushing the horror movie into chilling new terrain with its shattering portrait of heritage gone to hell."

Explore the 2018 Film Lineup and stay tuned for more additions now through March. The full lineup will include 44 films from first-time filmmakers, 86 world premieres, 11 North American premieres, and 5 U.S. premieres, SXSW organizers noted.

Learn more about the Film Awards and browse our Screening Sections. Browse the online schedule for Film Festival screenings, special events, and more programming. Stay informed about upcoming announcements and important dates by signing up for SXSW Newsletters.

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