CANNES Q&A: Woody Allen: I Rewrote 'Midnight' in Paris for Owen Wilson

Woody Allen is one of the few directors in the world who knows what it’s like to walk the celebrated red carpet at the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival: He received that honor in 2002 when his Hollywood Ending served as the fest’s curtain raiser. Calling Allen’s newest film Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard, “a wonderful love letter to Paris,” festival director Thierry Fremaux has once again extended that invitation to the writer/director. Speaking with THR film editor Gregg Kilday, Allen talks about searching for a storyline that would do Paris justice, why he cast France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in the movie and his expectations — and trepidations — about opening night.