The 2020 Cannes Film Festival is probably canceled. Well, maybe it is. Honestly, who the hell knows? Right now, the event organizers are doing everything in their power to keep hope alive that this year will still have a Cannes Film Festival, but it really does feel like an uphill battle, to say the least. That being said, as we approach the do-or-die time for Cannes, a new report highlights the films that would have likely premiered at the French film event.
According to Screen Daily, if Cannes does pull off a miracle and can have its regular festival, as planned, then it’s probably going to be one stacked event. In addition to films such as “Top Gun: Maverick” and Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” which were all but confirmed to take part in the event (both films are now delayed until December and October, respectively, due to the COVID-19 pandemic), new films from Edgar Wright, Ana Lily Amirpour, and more were expected to take part in the fest. (And again, they still could, if Cannes lives.)
Amirpour could have premiered her latest film, “Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon,” which stars Kate Hudson and Korean actor Jeon Jong-seo (“Burning”). That film is said to be about a young girl with superpowers that heads to New Orleans. Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” is apparently in post-production right now, but it was expected to be a strong contender for the main competition for Cannes. The “Eternals” filmmaker’s latest is set to star Frances McDormand. And yes, Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” was rumored to be in line for a Midnight premiere.
In addition to those names, the highly anticipated “The Souvenir II,” from Joanna Hogg, could have had its debut at this year’s Cannes, as well as Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta,” Andrea Arnold’s documentary “Cow,” Corinna Faith’s “The Power,” Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” Francis Lee’s “Ammonite,” Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round,” François Ozon’s “Summer of 85,” Bruno Dumont’s “On a Half Clear Morning,” and Leos Carax’s “Annette.”
Needless to say, this year’s Cannes could have been pretty incredible. And it still might be. Maybe. Hopefully.
UPDATE: Previously, we included Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” in the story, but according to sources with knowledge of the situation, the film is still in post-production and was not aiming for a Cannes debut.