Hollywood Actors Use Cannes to Revive Careers with European Films

Actors in Hollywood facing career stagnation are increasingly seeking opportunities in non-American auteur films showcased at prominent European festivals to revitalize their careers. This shift gained traction following Oscar nominations for Demi Moore (The Substance, 2025) and Zoe Saldana (Emilia Pérez, 2024) after their premieres at Cannes. At the 2026 Cannes Festival, Sebastian Stan stars in Fjord, directed by Cristian Mungiu, while Kristen Stewart and Woody Harrelson feature in Full Phil by Quentin Dupieux. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander lend their voices to monsters in Hope by Na Hong-jin. In contrast, Dwayne Johnson's Oscar aspirations with The Smashing Machine fell short, and Elle Fanning's performance in Sentimental Value did not enhance her appeal. Johnny Depp opened Cannes in 2023 with Jeanne du Barry, while James Franco has shifted to Italian cinema with films like Hey Joe and Squali.