Natalie Portman Movie Premiere In Paris Canceled After Tragic Events
In light of this week’s tragic events in Paris, the premiere and press events scheduled for this weekend for the new Natalie Portman movie, Jane Got a Gun, have been canceled, according to an email sent today to journalists.
The Hollywood Reporter says that the press junket was scheduled for tomorrow and the premiere was supposed to take place on Monday. Portman also called off her interviews for French television.
Leading French distributor Mars Films, in which Vivendi acquired a 30 percent stake in September, is handling the film in France. Publicity for Mars notified journalists that the press events and premiere were canceled.
Portman moved to Paris earlier this year, as her husband, Benjamin Millepied, took over the top position at the Paris Opera Ballet.
Portman has previously expressed caution about living in Paris following the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks in January. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Portman said she was nervous about being Jewish living in Paris. She traveled to the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of her Israeli film A Tale of Love and Darkness under heavy security.
According to the Washington Times, Natalie Portman is not the only celebrity to cancel appearances this week in Paris. The Foo Fighters and U2 have also canceled performances.
“The Foo Fighters canceled the remaining dates of their European tour, including a planned show in Paris on Monday. Film distributor Mars said Saturday it had canceled promotional appearances for the film Jane Got a Gun starring Portman.”
The film was supposed to open in Paris ahead of all other markets, which will happen on November 25.
“Because of the events (Friday) night, we are canceling TV appearances, junket and preview appearances with Natalie Portman Nov. 15-16,” the film distributor said in a statement Saturday.
Director Steven Spielberg was also due to be in Paris this weekend for a photo call, but that trip was also canceled. U2 released the following statement to the press.
“It is with profound sadness and heartfelt concern for everyone in Paris that we have been forced to announce the cancellation of the rest of our tour. In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can’t continue right now,” the band said in a statement released Saturday.
Celebs cancel events after Paris terrorist attacks: https://t.co/GISgOwLoPE pic.twitter.com/o5DZOCkQaA
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 14, 2015
Shalom Life revealed that, ahead of the tragedy in Paris, Natalie Portman had serious reservations about living in France as a Jew.
“Though Portman spoke about many other Jewish topics, including her distaste for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Portman’s frank admission of her anxiety to walk around Paris knowing she is Jewish is quite a startling realization. In our celebrity-obsessed culture, when that actress or musician we idealize re-affirms a disparaging reality, we can be sure that there are (famous) others who feel the same way.”
But Portman acknowledged, especially after the events following the Charlie Hebdo attacks, that she is indeed uncomfortable about anti-Jewish sentiment in France, and obviously, the events of this weekend have further cemented these concerns for herself and her family, despite the fact that her husband is Parisian.
‘Jane Got A Gun’ French Premiere And Junket Cancelled- Paris Attacks https://t.co/MWKV7esFBy
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 14, 2015
Jane Got a Gun will still be released everywhere at the end of this month, and Natalie Portman will be promoting it elsewhere. There is no comment about Portman continuing to live and work in France.
Do you think that the events of this week will continue to impact the entertainment industry in Paris and in France? Will you see Natalie Portman’s new film?
[Photo courtesy of Associated Press]
