In 2009, Zombieland premiered at Fantastic Fest 2009 with a star studded red carpet event at the Paramount. Stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Director Ruben Fleischer were all in attendance.

Earlier this week, Eisenberg and Fleischer returned to the ATX to host a preview screening of Zombieland: Double Tap. 

After mingling with some zombie like characters in the lobby and snapping pics on the red carpet, theduo introduced the film.

Fleischer noted that the Fantastic Fest screening in 2009 was the first public screening of the original film while this was the first non-Sony lot screening of the new film. We later heard it previously screened at LA Comic Con, but we’re sure the audience here in Austin was the better one, especially based on what Eisenberg said following the screening.

When an audience member asked why they like screening movies in Austin, Eisenberg had this to say.

“I didn’t know too much about Austin until we came here for the first movie. I heard it was like the cool city in Texas but I didn’t know too much about it culturally,” Eisenberg explained.

“It was so special and Ruben and I both had a very special feeling about Austin… You guys appreciate the things that the people who make the movies appreciate: like inside references to things, specific cultural things, humor that’s offbeat and fun. All the stuff that we like about the movie are the things that we know Austin would like about the movie.”

As for the film, I must say I loved it just as much as the first. The new cast additions are excellent, the wit is once again totally on point and the script did not disappoint. It was definitely worth the wait.

Zombieland: Double Tap is in theaters now.