19. The Great Gatsby
Director: Baz Luhrmann Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton & Carey Mulligan. Given the US release date of May 10th, this could well be big film that takes the prestigious out of competition opening night slot that has previously gone to Moonrise Kingdom, Robin Hood, Midnight In Paris and Up, and it certainly looks to have the kind of pomp and circumstance about it to really kick the festival off well. Added to that the opportunity to have Leo and the rest of the diabolically eye-catching cast on the red carpet come opening night, and you've got two big reasons Luhrmann's latest delightfully overblown cinematic experience could be the film to open the show.
18. Star Trek Into Darkness
Director: JJ Abrams Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana & Benedict Cumberbatch. And the other big contender (and personal want) for the opening night. Cannes have proved in the past that they aren't afraid to include big blockbuster type movies on the schedule, whether in competition (Inglourious Basterds) or out (Robin Hood), and JJ Abrams stunning-looking sci-fi sequel certainly fits the bill for the occasion. What The Great Gatsby offers in glitz and glamour, Star Trek Into Darkness will boast in tub-thumping blockbuster thrills, with an intelligent edge, you'd have to hope. Please make it happen, Cannes, you know Abram's star is rising more and more thanks to the Star Wars gig, and who's to say that big sci-fi film couldn't follow in Star Trek's footsteps in a few year's time?