If you had heard from the experts in the last few months they would probably have told you that the Venice Film Festival this year it would have done without big titles due to the writers' and actors' strike which delayed the production of many upcoming blockbusters. However, to read the indiscretions of Variety on the titles that could be presented at the Lido during the 81st edition, scheduled from August 28th to September 27th, it seems that Venice not only will not suffer any backlash from the US protest, but also that it will have nothing to envy of the program of the last Cannes Film Festival. Second Variety, in fact, the stars who could land at the Lido this year are many, and they range from Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix to Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig and Johnny Depppassing through George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Gal Gadot and Ana de Armas.
Even if the director of the Venice Film Festival Alberto Barbera has yet to see many of the works presented, Variety reports that a number of globally trending films have already secured a place at the Lido, although it is likely that some of the more mainstream films will be presented out of competition. Two highly anticipated titles should secure a certain place: Joker 2: Folie à Deuxthe musical sequel to Joker which in 2019 won the Golden Lion in Venice, with protagonists Lady Gaga – which has been missing in Venice since the world premiere of A star is born with Bradley Cooper – and Joaquin Phoenix, and Marythe biopic of Pablo Larraín with Angelina Jolie in the role of Maria Callas. The latter would certainly be a choice of continuity, considering that Larraín's two previous female biopics – Spencer with Kristen Stewart and Jackie with Natalie Portman – were both presented in Venice.
However, it didn't end here since, after the forfeit of Challengers which would open the exhibition in 2023, Luca Guadagnino could try again by competing in a competition with Queerthe film adaptation by William S. Burroughs in which Daniel Craig he plays the alter ego of the famous counterculture author, an American expatriate living in Mexico and battling his heroin addiction. In between, however, there could also be the action comedy directed by Jon Watts Wolfsthat sees George Clooney and Brad Pitt – who would land on the Lido at the same time as ex-wife Angelina Jolie – as two lone wolves forced to work together to cover up a high-profile crime, and Ron Howard's survival thriller Eden with Jude LawAna de Armas, Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Kirby and Daniel Brühl. Variety, however, adds that these titles would probably be out of official competition. The list, however, does not stop here: in fact, Julian Schnabel's detective story is also in the balance In the Hand of Dante, inspired by the book by Nick Tosches and with a stellar cast composed of, among others, Gal GadotOscar Isaac, Jason MomoaGerard Butler, Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese in the role of an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri as he writes The divine Comedy; And Ways, the film that would mark the return of Johnny Depp in Venice as a director with a biopic dedicated to Amedeo Modiglianistarring Riccardo Scamarcio – also starring Al Pacino in the role of art collector Maurice Gangnat.
It would be the Depp's second directorial effortmore than 25 years after his 1997 film, widely criticized and mocked by the press and the public, The Brave, in which she starred alongside Marlon Brando. What is certain is that, after opening in Cannes in 2023 with Jeanne du Barry by Maïwenn, the actor is trying to restart his career and reputation after the controversial defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Finally, the films could also close the circle for the Venice line-up Hard Truths by Mike Leigh and I'm Still Here by Walter Salles. What stands out is that, while the Cannes Film Festival is gaining ground in premiering films that could thrive during awards season, Venice remains the top destination for streamers and studios aiming to build Oscar campaigns. As announced by the Biennale, Isabelle Huppert will she be the president of the jury – a provocation to Cannes and France? -, and we'll see some good ones.
Source: Vanity Fair
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