Moving Pictures has learnt that the festival is hoping to stage the world premiere of Brian de Palma's Mission: Impossible, one of the most eagerly-anticipated blockbusters of the summer season. The most likely date for the screening appears to be 15 May.
However, the screening of Paramount Pictures' Mission: Impossible still depends on the availability of its star, Tom Cruise, who produced the film with his producing partner Paula Wagner. Mission is the first film from Cruise/Wagner Productions.
Cruise wants to come to Cannes, but is currently filming. LA rumours are that a seven-figure sum is being asked as compensation to allow the star to make the trip.
The world premiere of Mission , which is based on the classic television series, would certainly focus popular world interest on the Croisette, as Cruise is likely to be joined by his wife, Nicole Kidman, and key cast members like Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Kristin Scott Thomas and Vanessa Redgrave.
The other surprise film of the festival, scheduled for 18 May, is likely to be Kevin Spacey's directorial debut, Albino Alligator, which UGC is handling. Albino Alligator, like Mission..., will attract star power to the Croisette. Besides Spacey, who won the Academy Award this year for Best Supporting Actor in The Usual Suspects, the cast includes Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway and Gary Sinise.
The AmFAR AIDS' benefit, which is scheduled for 16 May, is likely to be another surprise - the world premiere of Douglas McGarth's film adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, starring jury member Greta Scacchi. Emma is being handled by Miramax.
Christopher Pickard
