Machete is back, and Fantastic Fest has got him!

It's official: Machete Kills, Robert Rodriguez's cult-ready sequel to his exuberantly over-the-top Machete (2010) -- will have its world premiere as the opening-night attraction Sept. 19 at Fantastic Fest in Austin.

And Tim League, creative director and co-founder of the world's wildest genre-movie extravaganza, wants you to know that this is a pretty damn big deal.

"Every year we compile our dream targets for opening night film," League says. This year, "Machete Kills was at the top of that list. We are going to pull out all the stops to ensure Robert's world premiere red carpet experience is literally blood red."

The lovely and talented Danny Trejo returns as Machete, a former Mexican Federale turned free-lance ass-kicker, and he's re-joined by Michelle Rodriguez and Jessica Alba, who also appeared in the original 2010 flick. Newcomers to the budding franchise include Antonio Banderas, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Lady Gaga, Demián Bichir, Alexa Vega, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding Jr., William Sadler, Mel Gibson -- yes, that Mel Gibson -- and promising newcomer Carlos Estevez as the President of the United States.

The plot has something to with... with... aw, hell, just take a look at the freakin' title, for crying out loud. And if that doesn't tell you enough, take a gander at this trailer.

Few choose to view Jodie Foster's Beaver

Sorry, but I couldn't resist the single entendre after reading this indieWire report.

Beaver shoot

I'm very glad to hear that Jodie Foster finally is going to direct another movie -- she hasn't helmed one since 1995's Home for the Holidays, which we talk about in this '95 interview -- and I think she and Mel Gibson, who co-starred in Maverick, might once again make for an interesting on-screen match-up. But the title of this new project... Well, geez, were they actually looking for a way to inspire a lot of rude jokes, or what? I mean, I can just see the headlines: "Foster's Beaver Attracts Mel Gibson." Or, "Gibson Attached to Jodie Foster's Beaver." Or... No, sorry, I just don't want to go there.

Guess those anger management classes didn't help

From the Associated Press: "Mel Gibson exchanged angry words with a university professor who challenged the accuracy of his film Apocalypto at an on-campus screening. Gibson was answering questions from the crowd at California State University, Northridge, Thursday night when Alicia Estrada, an assistant professor of Central American studies, accused the actor-director of misrepresenting the Mayan culture in the movie. Gibson directed an expletive at the woman, who was removed from the crowd."