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 again host the ceremonies of the Cannes Film Festival, after holding the honor last year.
Wilson will preside over the opening and closing ceremonies of the film festival in May, including welcoming the jury presidents Joel and Ethan Cohen to officially open the festival on May 13, as well as the closing awards on May 24.
Festival organizers cited his performance last year in the decision to bring back the actor for a second time.
“Lambert Wilson left a distinct mark on the 67th Festival de Cannes ceremonies with his elegance, poise and lyrical eloquence while evoking his love of cinema,” organizers said.
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 appears in the-just released Suite Francaise with Michelle Williams and Margot Robbie.
This year’s festival runs from May 13-24.