Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom will reign over the Deauville Film Festival, as the Lord of the Rings stars will be honored in a night billed as “Two Heroes” during the French festival.
McKellen has “distinguished himself both in film, theater and television,” organizers said in the announcement Tuesday, calling his fifty-year career “legendary.”
The festival will also host the French premiere of Mr. Holmes, starring McKellen and directed by Bill Condon.
Organizers cited Bloom’s recent performance in last year’s Cannes closing film Zulu for showing a new side of the actor best known for the Rings trilogy and Pirates of the Caribbean. “Over a considerable filmography, he has become one of the highest-profile actors of the past fifteen years,” organizers said.
McKellen and Bloom join Keanu Reeves and director Terrence Malick among the luminaries receiving tributes in Deauville.
As previously announced, French director Benoit Jacquot (Farewell, My Queen) will head this year’s jury. The rest of the jury as well as the official selection will be announced Aug. 24.
The film festival will run Sept. 4 – 13 in northern France.
