Barry Keoghan joins young co-star Nykiya Adams on the Croisette as they flash peace signs at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival premiere of Bird

Barry Keoghan was back on the red carpet on Thursday afternoon as the new film Bird was launched at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival.

With the bathwater still warm surrounding his latest starring role, the Saltburn star joined cast and crew on the Croisette to promote his latest film, a hard-hitting drama set in suburban Kent.

Keoghan, 31, plays Bug in the new film, a heavily tattooed single father of two who lives hand-in-hand with his children in a run-down squat.

And on Thursday he was joined by the main cast, including child actress Nykiya Adams, who makes her film debut alongside the Irish actor as Bailey.

The pair were seen flashing peace signs for waiting photographers before climbing the Croisette steps, with Keoghan crouching to ensure he and Adams were facing each other.

The pair were seen flashing peace signs for waiting photographers before climbing the Croisette steps

Keoghan plays Bug in the new film, a heavily tattooed single father of two who lives hand-in-hand with his children in a dilapidated squat

Bird director Andrea Arnold was present on Wednesday after receiving the 2024 Carrosse d’Or (Golden Coach Award) during the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.

“It was the hardest film I’ve ever made,” she told those present at the production. “There were a lot of challenges, more than normal, and there seemed to be more limitations than I had ever known.

“A lot of things I put on the page and cared about were lost, so editing was very difficult. It turned out to be very difficult to cut something of the film I had intended from the piping.

“I was grieving the losses and feeling quite vulnerable.”

Without directly referring to the film’s challenges, she added: “With all their words of support and recognition, and this was awarded by the French Association of Directors, people who understood what editing a film is and people who would understand what I was going through. At that moment, I found the words I had to use to talk about my work incredibly moving.

‘It gave me the feeling that others were next to me. It renewed my energy and determination to continue what I was doing, to try to find the essence of the film I had intended.

“It also made me think about what it means to be supported and encouraged, and how crucial that is.”

Keoghan received critical acclaim in The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned him a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, while he was also nominated for an Oscar in the same category.

Keoghan looked suitably dapper in a Burberry shirt, tuxedo jacket and trousers as he greeted spectators in the south of France on Thursday

Fontaines DC musician Carlos O’Connell also joined the Irish actor on the red carpet

Franz Rogowski, who plays the title character in the new film, was also in attendance at Cannes

Bird co-stars Franz Rogowski, Barry Keoghan and Nykiya Adams offered peace signs to the assembled press as they posed on the steps of Croisette

(L-R) Bird actress Jasmine Jobson and DC Fontaines musician Carlos O’Connell in Cannes

Keoghan and Adams crouched behind cameraman Robbie Ryan as he snapped photos on the red carpet

The Irish actor also had major roles in The Batman, Eternals, American Animals, Dunkirk and Chernobyl.

In May 2023, it was confirmed that he had been cast alongside Franz Rogowski in director Andrea Arnold’s film Bird.

His decision to star in Bird resulted in his withdrawal from Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator sequel due to a scheduling conflict.

He was set to star as Emperor Geta in the new Gladiator film, but Fred Hechinger has since replaced him.

Keoghan appeared in good spirits as he walked the Cannes Croisette red carpet

The Irish actor also played major roles in The Batman, Eternals, American Animals, Dunkirk, Chernobyl and The Banshees of Inisherin