by Seán McGovern
As Le Festival de Cannes begins and films in and out of competition are set to sparkle or explode, some are generating heat without even being made yet, as Variety reports. Scattered among some the hottest titles for sale are actresses who are always deserving of a big hit or Oscar buzz.
Tomei and Gershon having a wonderful time in 2004
Shotgun
Directors: Hannah Marks and Joey Power
Cast: Maika Monroe, Jeremy Allen White, Marisa Tomei, Gina Gershon
A cancer dramedy starring Maika Monroe (It Follows). The names that stand out are Gina Gershon and Marisa Tomei, no doubt somehow aunts or mothers to the youngsters in the lead...
Tomei deserves to be known as more than Aunt May to an entire generation, and Gershon - who should have won an Oscar for Killer Joe imho – makes everything watchable, including the trailer for upcoming trashfest Inconceivable.
Ophelia
Director: Claire McCarthy
Cast: Naomi Watts, Daisy Ridley, Clive Owen, Tom Felton
Based on a successful YA novel by Lisa M. Klein. Likely to be a vehicle for Ridley in the role of Ophelia, to Watts's Queen Gertrude. If this female centred take on Shakespeare by visual artist Claire McCarthy merits the pre-production buzz at Cannes is it going for teen love populism or something more awards worthy?
Hotel Artemis
Director: Drew Pearce
Cast: Jodie Foster,Sterling K. Brown, Jenny Slate, Jeff Goldblum, Dave Bautista
Jodie Foster stars as a doctor in a hospital for dangerous criminals. This is the directorial debut of Pearce, who wrote Iron Man 3 and directed a Marvel short. While this doesn't exactly set my pulse racing, this is Foster's first acting role since Elysium and should add a touch of class to the proceedings. And besides, the idea of Jodie Foster and Jenny Slate together in the same film intrigues.