Mia Wasikowska, Deneuve, Friend Headline 2026 Venice Days

Mia Wasikowska, Catherine Deneuve, Rupert Friend to Headline 2026 Venice Days Lineup

Hollywood Buzz News - July 22, 2026

The 2026 edition of Venice Days, the prestigious independent sidebar of the Venice Film Festival, has confirmed a major trio of stars for its upcoming slate. Mia Wasikowska, Catherine Deneuve, and Rupert Friend will be among the headline names appearing in the program, organizers announced this week.

Wasikowska, who remains best known for her lead role in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, is set to appear in a new project selected for the showcase. Details about the film’s title, genre, or director have not yet been released, but the casting alone has generated significant buzz among festival insiders. The Australian actress has largely focused on art-house and independent cinema since her blockbuster breakthrough, with credits including Crimson Peak, The Kids Are All Right, and Stoker.

Catherine Deneuve, the legendary French screen icon, will also be featured in the lineup. With a career spanning more than six decades, Deneuve’s involvement adds considerable prestige to Venice Days. She most recently appeared in The Last Face and The Truth. Rupert Friend, known for his roles in Homeland and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, rounds out the announced cast.

Venice Days, officially known as the Venice International Film Critics' Week, runs parallel to the main competition at the Venice Film Festival. It focuses on emerging talent and bold, unconventional storytelling. The program typically includes around 10 to 12 feature films, along with shorts and special events.

No official release date or runtime has been disclosed for the project starring Wasikowska, Deneuve, and Friend. The film’s genre remains unconfirmed, though festival programmers often select works that defy easy categorization. Early speculation suggests it could be a drama or a psychological thriller, given the actors’ respective strengths.

The 2026 Venice Film Festival is scheduled to take place from August 27 to September 6, with Venice Days running concurrently. A full lineup announcement is expected in the coming weeks. For now, the presence of three such distinct talents-spanning generations and continents-signals that this year’s selection will be one to watch.

Stay tuned to Hollywood Buzz News for updates as more details emerge from the Lido.

Source: Hollywood Reporter