Eyes on Venice as Cannes winds down

By Eric J. Lyman

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - With the Cannes Film Festival drawing to a close on Sunday, attention is turning toward Venice, where Ridley Scott’s "Body of Lies" is expected to be among the big-name U.S. films screening out of competition on the Lido.

More than three months before the Coen brothers’ "Burn After Reading" opens the festival on August 27, few contracts have been signed. But with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton likely to appear on Venice’s well-worn red carpet in conjunction with "Burn," Venice’s paparazzi can look for "Body of Lies" stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe to join them, as well as Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes (Saul Dibb’s historical drama "The Dutchess").

Venice’s 22-film competition lineup has been made up entirely of world premieres the past two years, and the festival is said to be looking to make it three in a row.

Spike Lee’s Italian-American co-production "Miracle at St. Anna," a World War II film set in Tuscany, is another probable addition.

Industry players also say that "The Women," a Mick Jagger-produced comedy starring Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan and Carrie Fisher, is a possibility. Baz Luhrmann’s adventure drama "Australia," which stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole .....continued below

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Reuters/Hollywood Reporter