Johnny Depp, to Open Cannes Film Festival
Depp plays King Louis XV in the period drama, co-financed by Saudi Arabia, from French director Maïwenn.

Directed by Maïwenn, the film will have its world premiere in the Palais on May 16.
In Jeanne du Barry, Maïwenn plays the title character alongside Depp, Benjamin Lavernhe, Melvil Poupaud, Pierre Richard, Pascal Greggory and India Hair.
Recounting the life, rise and fall of the King Louis XV‘s favorite, the film will be released in French cinemas simultaneously as its Cannes bow.
The decision to give Depp the Cannes opening night slot will raise eyebrows, his red carpet appearance on the Croisette coming less than a year after the end of his hugely contentious and very public legal dispute with Amber Heard.
The film also comes with an historic first, being the first Cannes opener to be funded by Saudi Arabia, having landed postproduction financing from the Red Sea Film Festival.
The film is produced by Why Not Production Company’s Pascal Caucheteux and Grégoire Sorlat, Johnny Depp’s production company IN.2, La Petite Reine and France Télévisions. The Red Sea Film Festival serve as executive producers, with Goodfellas (formerly Wild Bunch) handling world sales.