A few weeks ago, we took out our crystal ball and speculated on what movies might be appearing at the Cannes Film Festival when it kicks off in about six weeks or so. We made some educated guesses, ruled some other movies out and tossed some ideas around as we wait for the official announcement from organizers later this month. Well, it appears a bit of a clearer picture is emerging — sort of — as a handful of titles have been ruled out.
THR has done some digging, and two Cannes favorites have been eliminated. Woody Allen and Pedro Almodovar are not expected to walk the red carpet in May, even though they both have new movies — “Blue Jasmine” and “I’m So Excited” (which has already opened in Spain) — on the way. Allen and Almodovar have been regulars in recent years, with both directors appearing in 2011 for “Midnight In Paris” and “The Skin I Live In” respectively. That said, the filmmakers weren’t exactly seen as the strongest candidates to make the slate.
However, one movie that we pegged as shoo-in apparently won’t be finished: Steve McQueen‘s drama “Twelve Years A Slave.” We figured it would be a slam dunk return to the Croisette for the helmer who first made waves there with “Hunger,” winning the Camera d’Or. But with the movie recently landing an awards season December date, we’d guess that Fox Searchlight want to hold their Oscar contender for a fall festival season bow. Another one that won’t be completed (but we sorta figured as much) is Spike Jonze‘s high concept “Her” starring Joaquin Phoenix. Again, we’d keep an eye out for a fall debut.
The usual batch of titles — “Behind The Candelabra,” “Only Lovers Left Alive,” “The Past,” “The Bling Ring,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Lowlife,” “Only God Forgives,” “Blood Ties” — are seen as very likely, but two more to think about that might pop up: J.C. Chandor‘s nearly silent, dialogue-free, Robert Redford starring “All Is Lost” and Alexander Payne‘s “Nebraska.” The trade says that fest head Thierry Fremaux is “courting” both movies, but it’s unclear if they’ll be ready or make the cut.
“The Great Gatsby” kicks things off on May 15th with the fest running through May 27th.