Steven Spielberg Announces a Western Is in the Works During SXSW Keynote
The legendary filmmaker said the long-awaited project is in development and he hopes to shoot it in Texas
Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg revealed during a keynote conversation at South by Southwest (SXSW) that he is developing a long-anticipated Western and hopes to film it in Texas.
Speaking Friday, March 13, at the Hilton Austin, Spielberg shared the news while reflecting on his decades-long career during an onstage discussion with Sean Fennessy, host of “The Big Picture” podcast.
“I want to make a Western! I wanna shoot it in Texas!” Spielberg said to cheers from the audience.
The director said the project is currently in development but offered few specifics. “I can’t reveal anything right now but I have something in development right now,” Spielberg teased that, “it kicks ass.”
Best known for shaping the modern blockbuster with films such as “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Spielberg spent the conversation reflecting on more than six decades of filmmaking. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly explored themes involving extraterrestrial life, technological anxieties and humanity’s fascination with the unknown.
Moviegoing, aliens and what’s next for Spielberg
During the discussion, Spielberg spoke about the enduring importance of the theatrical experience, emphasizing how cinema creates a shared emotional connection among audiences. He also discussed his early inspirations for moviemaking and the creative process that continues to shape his work.
A central topic of the conversation was his upcoming film, “Disclosure Day,” which will be released in theaters in the U.S. on June 12. Spielberg reflected on how the film’s themes connect to his long-running interest in extraterrestrial narratives and societal reactions to the unknown.
Several filmmakers and actors attended the session, including Adam Scott, Robert Rodriguez and directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.
Though details remain scarce about the Western Spielberg hopes to make, the announcement offered a glimpse into his next creative chapter — one he hopes will unfold on Texas soil.
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