The past and future of Alamo Drafthouse in northwest Austin

As Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek closes its doors July 21, in its place will open a new 35,900-square-foot theater with 10 screens in the Lakeline Market Shopping Center.

Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline opens July 22 with special screenings of the "Planet of the Apes" films that match the lobby's original movie posters and dcor. On July 18, Alamo Drafthouse Founder Tim League unveiled a 10-foot statue of The Lawgiver, a character from the "Planet of the Apes" films, which was made from the original molds acquired by special effects artist Greg Nicotero.

"Greg is somewhat of a collector and he managed to acquire the original molds that were used to cast the original Lawgiver from the movie. He didn't get the original Lawgiver; that's since deteriorated. But he got the molds to cast it exactly like it was in the movie," League said. "We're hoping it will be a good photo [opportunity] for folks who are fans of the 'Planet of the Apes' to come and take their picture with the Lawgiver. That's also why we are starting things off here with a special screening of Planet of the Apes during opening week."

The first week of showings includes the original 1968 "Planet of the Apes" screening on July 26. On July 27, actor Simon Pegg will be on site for a sold-out triple feature including his films "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz," and a special preview of "The World's End," which is set for release Aug. 23.

Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline will also be home to Fantastic Fest in September, an 8-day film festival with screenings of horror, fantasy, science fiction, action and other movies. The event is relocating from the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse theater, League said, fueled by the technology and capacity the Lakeline cinema offers.

General manager Stephen Mason said about 70 staff members were added to accommodate the size and programming at the theater, which is the largest Alamo Drafthouse in the nation. An upstairs kitchen and server entrances in the back of each theater will make it easier for wait staff to deliver food, he said.

"One of the nice things about this location is, operationally, it's so efficient. The way you go from the kitchen to the theater, it's all going to be a lot faster," Mason said. "I think most of the staff is almost giddy with excitement to come in here and do this. It will be easier for servers because they also won't have to duck down, which means for the customers, there will be less disruption."

The menu compared to Lake Creek is unchanged except Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline offers a full bar including liquor. The on-site bar Glass Half Full, which serves the full Alamo Drafthouse menu, features 32 draft beers and at least 90 percent of the beers hail from the Lone Star state, said bar manager Mo Wark.

"We like to say people can come here before, after or in spite of a movie," Wark said.