Michael Douglas looks suave as he attends a photocall at the Cannes Film Festival

Michael Douglas looked good on Tuesday as he attended a photocall for the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals.

The Academy Award-winning actor, 78, has a long history with the festival, from his first appearance in 1979 to most recently in 2013 for Behind The Candelabra.

The Ant-Man star will be presented with an honorary Pale d’Or – the festival’s grand prize at the opening ceremony – as a tribute to his brilliant career in the film industry.

Michael looked smart in a navy suit with a low-buttoned royal blue shirt as he prepared to take the honours.

The iconic actor looked as handsome as ever as he pointed and waved to the cameras.

His silver locks were combed back from his face for a shaggy yet classy look, while he later added a few shades to keep out the hot French sun.

Receiving the Palme d’Or, Michael said: ‘It is always a breath of fresh air to be in Cannes, which has long provided a wonderful platform for daring creators, artistic audacity and excellence in storytelling.

‘From my first time here in 1979 to my most recent premiere of Behind The Candelabra in 2013, the festival has always reminded me that the magic of cinema lies not only in what we see on screen, but also in its ability to influence people around the world. .

“After more than 50 years in the business, it is an honor to return to the Croisette to open the festival and embrace our shared global film language.”

The Fatal Attraction star has been married to Wednesday actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is 25 years his junior, since 2000.

The devoted husband did not forget to wish his wife of 22 years a happy Mother’s Day this month.

He posted a photo of Catherine with Carys and son Dylan, 22, from when they were younger, writing: ‘Happy happy #mothersday darling you deserve it! You are the best and we love you so much.’

Carys posted her own sweet message to her Instagram stories using a photo taken Saturday as they sat in a water taxi dressed in the glamorous dresses they wore to singer Chloe Stroll and Olympian Scotty James Saturday’s wedding.

She wrote ‘Happy Mother’s Day mommy!!!’ about the photo in which she looked fondly at Catherine.

Dylan also sent a sweet but simple message, sharing a photo from an event he attended as his mom shouted “Thanks mom!” in the picture.

On Tuesday, the Cannes red carpet comes back to life as the 76th Film Festival begins with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama Jeanne du Barry starring Johnny Depp.

This year’s festival promises a Côte d’Azur buffet of spectacle, scandal and cinema served over the next 12 days.

It unfolds against the backdrop of labor unrest. Protests that have stirred France in recent months over changes to the pension system will take place during the festival, albeit at a distance from the main festival hub.

In the meantime, an ongoing strike by screenwriters in Hollywood could have unpredictable effects on the French Riviera Festival.

But with a festival packed with some highly anticipated, big-budget films, including James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of the Destiny and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, the party is sure to go on anyway.

Stars set to hit the Cannes red carpet over the next week and a half include Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Sean Penn, Alicia Vikander, The Weeknd and Scarlett Johansson.

The festivities on Tuesday include an opening ceremony where Michael Douglas will receive an honorary Palme d’Or.

Later, one will also be handed out to Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford.

Also introduced is the jury that will determine the main prize of the festival, the Palme d’Or.

This year’s jury is headed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, a two-time Palme winner who won last year for the social satire ‘The Triangle of Sadness.’

The rest of the jury consists of Brie Larson, Paul Dano, French director Julia Ducournau, Argentinian filmmaker Damián Szifron, Afghan director Atiq Rahimi, French actor Denis Ménochet, Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Tourzani and Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni .

The opening night selection has generated some controversy.

Directed by and starring French actor-director Maïwenn, Jeanne du Barry stars as Louis XV alongside Depp.

It is Depp’s first new film since his trial last year with Amber Heard, his ex-wife.

After both Depp and Heard accused each other of physical and verbal abuse, a civilian jury awarded Depp $10 million in punitive damages and $2 million to Heard.

In comments to the press Monday, director of Cannes Thierry Fremaux defended the choicesaying that Depp is extraordinary in the film and that he paid no attention to the process.

“To tell you the truth, in my life I have only one rule, it is the freedom of thought, the freedom of expression and the freedom to act within a legal framework,” Fremaux said.

“If Johnny Depp wasn’t allowed to star in a movie, or if the movie was banned, we wouldn’t be talking about this.”