The Italian city of Venice is readying itself for an explosion of A-list excitement when its annual film festival gets underway on Wednesday night. And residents of the romantic destination got a taste of the star power that will soon flood their hometown when Scarlett Johansson, whose new thriller The Black Dahlia will kick off the event, was spotted disembarking from a boat in the heart of the city.
Over the next 11 days a roll call of big names, including Adrien Brody, Jackie Chan and Sandra Bullock, are expected to appear at the Venice Lido. The 21-year-old bombshell from New York will be the main attraction when things get underway with Brian de Palma's hotly-anticipated drama, though.
Scarlett was casually dressed in a grey cardigan and black hat when she arrived at Hotel Gritti on Tuesday afternoon. She will be joined by her co-star Josh Hartnett, with whom she has struck up a real-life romance, when she turns out for the screening of the film. Oscar winner Hilary Swank, who also appears in the movie, is likewise expected to be there, along with glamorous Italian actress Isabella Ferrari, who is to host the opening ceremony.
Among the other films set to cause a stir at this year's festival is the political drama Bobby, a biopic of iconic American politician Robert Kennedy which features Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore and Christian Slater. British favourite Helen Mirren, who has just picked up an Emmy for her portrayal of Elizabeth I, will also be in town to promote The Queen, in which she plays Elizabeth II.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
