The We Are Austin team had a blast at the Austin Film Festival, kicking off the weekend with director Rian Johnson. The red carpet event featured the premiere of “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” where Johnson and actor Thomas Haden Church shared insights about the film.
“People have asked me since we finished it. It’s like, why would you rate it? As far as like the script, you know, Josh Brolin and I talked about it when you’re shooting and, and, said, you know, I have a feeling this is like one of the best five scripts I’ve ever read.”
The red carpet event featured the premiere of “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” where Johnson and actor Thomas Haden Church shared insights about the film.
Johnson expressed his excitement about audiences experiencing the movie in theaters.
“I mean, I’m always holding my breath because these movies are really made to be seen with audiences and they’re made to get that experience. So I’m like, is it going to work? And it did.”
The film hits select theaters on Nov. 26, 2025, and Netflix on Dec. 12, 2025.
Additionally, “NCIS” showrunner Steve Binder and “NCIS: Origins” co-showrunner David North offered valuable advice for aspiring writers and creatives during their panel on procedural storytelling.
Red Carpet recap! “Knives Out” premiere and “NCIS” storytelling at Austin Film Festival
“The most optimistic thing I could say to someone – one thing is to get up every 60 minutes. It’s just a no brainer. And keep writing. Don’t write the one thing with that one good idea that you had and just keep showing that around town as the one. You write a second one and write a third one and a fourth one. And just keep writing,” said Binder.
North added, “And don’t be afraid to try to get your foot in the door with assistant jobs, or any jobs because then you can sort of learn that way and, and have access to the people that hire.”