Wes Anderson's 'Moonrise Kingdom' To Open Cannes 2012 Film Festival

Festival chief Thierry Fremaux has selected the film to premiere Cannes 2012 on May 16th.

By Matt Holmes /

As has been expected for a while, reports out of France are that Wes Anderson's forthcoming ensemble piece Moonrise Kingdom will open the 65th Cannes Film Festival. Premiere movie magazine say festival chief Thierry Fremaux has selected the film to premiere Cannes 2012 on May 16th, the very same day the film will be released in France. So this really did look like it was on the cards a while ago. This will be Wes Anderson's first ever film he has screened at the festival, which is a little surprising given the usual pretentious tone of his pictures and the quirky nature of his characters/narrative that is fitting of a European audience. Not to mention the large number of A-listers he usually secures that can bump up the red carpet madness. Moonrise Kingdom is no exception starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray and Harvey Keitel in supporting roles. Though the picture is led by newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as a young couple who fall in love and run away together, turning their small home town upside down.As an attendee of the festival, I can't say I'm looking forward to a Wes Anderson movie opening the festival as I'm no fan of the helmer... but at least I get it out of the way to begin with. The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 16-27. By the time the festival has finished Moonrise Kingdom will be released in UK and US cinemas on May 25th, so not long until you guys can see it too.