SXSW, entering its 17th year, will be held in Austin, Texas from March 12-20. South by Southwest has unveiled the first pics in its lineup with Lionsgate’s action-comedy “Kick-Ass” as its opening night film. “Kick-Ass,” directed by Matthew Vaughn and starting Aaron Johnson, is based on a comicbook by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. about a comics-obsessed teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero despite a decided lack of superpowers. Lionsgate is opening “Kick-Ass” nationwide on April 16.

Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson said,

“‘Kick-Ass’ is a truly fun ride, with non-stop action, clever humor, and even heart, which is exactly what our audience has come to love and expect from SXSW every year.”