Paper Tiger at Cannes
- What happened: Cannes added 16 films to its 2026 lineup, including James Gray’s Paper Tiger in competition. - The key specific: Neon acquired North American rights and Paper Tiger will compete for the Palme d’Or. - Context: The late additions reshape the festival’s competition slate as Cannes finalizes its program (indiewire.com)(variety.com).
Cannes has added James Gray’s “Paper Tiger” to its 2026 competition lineup, putting the film in the race for the Palme d’Or. (variety.com) Variety reported on April 22 that Neon bought North American rights to “Paper Tiger,” which stars Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller. Cannes then folded the film into its late additions to the official selection. (variety.com) (indiewire.com) The festival said on April 22 that 16 films were added across its sections as it completed the 79th edition’s program. The 2026 festival runs from May 12 to May 23. (festival-cannes.com) (indiewire.com) That update changed a competition slate first unveiled on April 9, when Cannes announced an auteur-heavy main lineup without Gray’s film. At that press conference, general delegate Thierry Frémaux said one missing title could still join later. (festival-cannes.com) (variety.com) “Paper Tiger” gives Cannes another U.S. title with recognizable stars after early coverage of the lineup focused on European auteurs and a thinner Hollywood presence. Variety’s April 9 lineup report described the competition field as auteur-driven, and Frémaux separately called Gray’s movie “wonderful” and “very indie.” (variety.com 1) (variety.com 2) The deal also extends Neon’s Cannes playbook. IndieWire described the 2026 market as an ongoing contest between Neon and Mubi for festival acquisitions, with Neon already holding several Cannes-bound titles for the United States. (indiewire.com 1) (indiewire.com 2) Gray’s film had already been moving through international sales ahead of Cannes. Variety reported on April 9 that French distributor SND acquired the movie for France before the North American sale to Neon. (variety.com) The late additions also show how Cannes still treats its April announcement as provisional. The festival’s own press page said the April 22 list “complete[s]” the official selection, closing weeks of speculation over whether “Paper Tiger” would make the cut. (festival-cannes.com) (indiewire.com) Now “Paper Tiger” arrives at Cannes with two stakes attached: a Palme d’Or run in May and a North American release backed by Neon after the festival. (variety.com)
