Probably best known here for his role as the Merovingian in the "Matrix" movies -- and his Calvin Klein Eternity ad campaign -- Wilson was nominated for a best actor Cesar last year for the French film "Of Gods and Men."
Ian Garan/Getty ImagesFrench actor Lambert Wilson will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Wilson will host the festival’s opening night on May 14, including welcoming jury president Jane Campion to open the festival, as well as the closing awards on May 24.
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Grace of Monaco will be the opening night film, with last year’s jury member Nicole Kidman gracing the red carpet once again.
Festival regular Wilson, best known in the U.S. for his role in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, first came to the Croisette in 1985 when he appeared alongside Juliette Binoche in Andre Techine’s Rendez-vous and he served as jury president of the Un Certain Regard sidebar in 1999.
Wilson starred in 2010’s Grand Jury Prize winner Of Gods and Men, which earned him the best actor Cesar award, France’s equivalent of the Oscars. He’ll next appear in the upcoming Suite Francaise with Michelle Williams and Margot Robbie.
Aside from the opening night film, the rest of the official slate is still under wraps and will be announced April 17 in Paris.
