VERONICA MARS, Alejandro Jodorowsky And Neil deGrasse Tyson Are Coming To SXSW

With Sundance next week it's time to start looking forward to what films will be at SXSW, because the festival circuit is a relentless machine and we are but cogs.

The Veronica Mars world premiere will be at SXSW! I have suspected this for some time, but I find the confirmation delightful. Also opening SXSW: Jon Favreau's Chef, featuring a damned fine cast, and the Mark Duplass-penned horror film Creep, AND OH, NO BIG DEAL BUT NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON AND ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY ARE ATTENDING.

The scoop:

Service! We’re pleased to reveal the mouthwatering first wave of programming for SXSW Film 2014. Leading the charge, our Opening Night Film is the world premiere of Chef, Jon Favreau’s return to his indie roots.

Favreau wrote, directed and stars in the comedy that also features Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Downey Jr. Favreau plays Carl, a chef who loses his job and decides to launch a food truck business, while attempting to reunite his estranged family.

Rounding out this initial tasting menu, we’re equally delighted to announce six more premieres:

Break Point (World Premiere / SXsports screening)
Director: Jay Karas, Screenwriters: Gene Hong & Jeremy Sisto

Two estranged brothers reunite to make an improbable run at a grand slam tennis tournament. The mismatched pair, with some unlikely help from a precocious 11-year-old boy, re-discover their game and their brotherhood.
Cast: Jeremy Sisto, David Walton, Joshua Rush, J.K. Simmons, Amy Smart

Creep (World Premiere)
Director: Patrick Brice, Screenwriter: Patrick Brice & Mark Duplass

When a videographer answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in the outer-exurbs, he finds his client is not at all what he initially seems.
Cast: Mark Duplass, Patrick Brice

COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey
Special Event with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Director: Brannon Braga

As with the legendary original series, FOX’s new COSMOS is the saga of how we discovered the laws of nature and found our coordinates in space and time. The series is hosted by renowned astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and brings to life never-before-told stories of the heroic quest for knowledge, transporting viewers to new worlds and across the universe for a vision of the cosmos on the grandest -- and the smallest -- scale. Executive Produced by Ann Druyan, Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga and Mitchell Cannold.

Doc of the Dead (World Premiere)
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe

The definitive zombie culture documentary, from the makers of The People vs. George Lucas. Doc of the Dead traces the rise and evolution of the zombie genre, its influence on pop culture, and investigates the possibility of an actual zombie outbreak.

Leave the World Behind (World Premiere)
Director: Christian Larson

A documentary following the final tour of the hugely successful band Swedish House Mafia. The film depicts the EDM scene at its peak as well as telling a story of friendship and success. (United Kingdom)

Veronica Mars (World Premiere)
Director: Rob Thomas, Screenwriters: Rob Thomas & Diane Ruggiero

Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown, an ex-boyfriend with baggage, and an unraveling murder mystery.
Cast: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Krysten Ritter, Francis Capra, Percy Daggs III, Ryan Hansen, Gaby Hoffman, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino, Jerry O'Connell

We’re also pleased to reveal stellar conference content, in the shape of A Conversation with Alejendro Jodorowsky

The iconoclastic filmmaker behind psychedelic cult films El Topo, The Holy Mountain and Santa Sangre, and the upcoming The Dance of Reality, his first film in nearly 25 years, will attend SXSW. Moderated by Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny, we’re confident this unique session will deliver some of the great insight and curveball ideas we’ve come to expect from the master surrealist.

Additionally, Jeffrey Tambor continues the tradition of his much loved acting and life workshop by returning to SXSW Film 2014 for Jeffrey Tambor’s Acting Workshop. Part one-man show, part seminar, part question and answer and endlessly entertaining, Jeffrey’s hilarious and empowering presentation inspires the viewer to discover the artist within.