Cannes Film Festival to feature stars, parties and controversy

The Cannes Film Festival isn’t without some controversy this year as celebrities, billionaires and Hollywood bigwigs are set to take over the Riviera town starting on Tuesday.

Johnny Depp will try to make what’s being called a comeback attempt following his blockbuster trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, with his latest film, “Jeanne du Barry,” by French director Maïwenn opening the fest.

The fest’s director. Thierry Fremaux, reportedly said of Depp’s presence at a recent press conference, “I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the US… I’m the last person to be able to discuss all this. If there’s one person in the world who is not interested in this very mediatized process, it’s me. I don’t know what it’s about. I care about Johnny Depp as an actor.”

In 2019, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor sued Heard for $50 million and alleged the actress defamed him by falsely claiming he abused her in a Washington Post op-ed in 2018, though she didn’t name him.

Heard responded by countersuing him for $100 million.

Depp won his case and Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in compensatory damages.

Depp has a Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4.

Heard has reportedly quit Hollywood and moved to Spain.

HBO’s “The Idol” — which stars Depp’s daughter, Lily Rose, and The Weeknd — will also be showing in Cannes following production issues and a piece of the show’s sex scenes.

Elsewhere at Cannes, Leonardo DiCaprio will be in town for Martin Scorcese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The flick also stars Robert De Niro.

Harrison Ford’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” will make its premiere, the Internet’s favorite zaddy Pedro Pascal is starring in a new Pedro Almodovar movie, and Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore star in “May December.”

Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” has an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie.

Michael Douglas will receive an honorary Palm D’Or.

Away from all the starry screenings, the fest is perhaps even more famous for its parties.

AmfAR will host its annual glittering gala, which in past years has attracted A-list names including Naomi Campbell, Cara Delevingne and Sting.

Graydon Carter and his former magazine Vanity Fair will face off on the party circuit with dueling bashes this year.

Carter — who started VF’s Cannes party in the ’90s — is hosting what is sure to be a star-studded event for Air Mail with Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc.

Vanity Fair, now run by Radhika Jones, normally holds their fete at the same spot, which is always one of therecent wedding.

Variety will host a welcome bash, and a party honoring actors including Tye Sheridan and “Riverdale” hunk Charles Melton.

Designer Phillip Plein, known for his over-the-top shows, will hold a fashion show at his  own villa, La Jungle Du Roi, for guests in black tie.

The Better World Fund, which promotes environmental justice, will throw a dinner at the famed Carlton hotel, and we hear DiCaprio is expected to attend.