'Machete Kills' to premiere at Fantastic Fest 2013

Machete is coming home to Austin.

The city’s annual film festival Fantastic Fest will open with Texan Robert Rodriguez’s sequel “Machete Kills,” which will have its world premiere on September 19.

Rodriguez and stars Danny Trejo, Alexa Vega will be in attendance, with additional talent to be confirmed later on. The rest of the festival’s schedule will be revealed soon as well.

The film will fit right in with the fest, which focuses on horror, sci-fi, and action-related genres. Last year’s event held the world premieres of Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” and a work-in-progress pint of “Paranormal Activity 4.”

“Machete” boasts a typically insane Rodriguez cast including Trejo, Vega, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Carlos Estevez (AKA Charlie Sheen), Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Demian Bichir, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Marko Zaror and Mel Gibson.

“Every year we compile our dream targets for opening night film; ‘Machete Kills’ was at the top of that list,” said Fantastic Fest Co-founder & Creative Director Tim League. “We are going to pull out all the stops to ensure Robert’s world premiere red carpet experience is literally blood red.”

“Fantastic Fest has quickly become the best place for fans to first experience the newest and coolest genre movies and blockbusters,” added Rodriguez. “I am honored and extremely excited for Machete Kills to have its world premiere right here in Austin and kick off Fantastic Fest.”

Fantastic Fest takes place at the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline location from September 19-26, 2013.

“Machete Kills” opens nationwide October 4.

‘Machete Kills’ to premiere at Fantastic Fest 2013