Today, in a small quiet street in a popular quarter of Paris, filming for Woody Allen’s new movie ‘Midnight in Paris‘ started in a Haussmannian-style building of which the windows were blocked with black curtains. Everything about the set was very discreet yet we now know that the film is set in the Twenties (Source: AFP). How exciting! And as those pictures of Marion Cotillard – taken earlier today (Monday) – prove the time period is definitely flattering her!

012 Midnight in Paris (2011) > On Set

Earlier today, Marion Cotillard was interviewed on Le Grand Journal. Exactly one year after her interview on the show during last year’s Cannes Festival and also exactly 3 months after her last appearance on the talk show. She looked absolutely adorable in her red dress. And I love her hair.

I don’t have time for a proper translation but here’s a – hopefully accurate – summary. She talked a bit about her character Marie in ‘Les Petits Mouchoirs‘ who’s generally full of rage apparently. She enjoyed filming a contemporary movie wearing jeans and swearing. Guillaume Canet is a great director and she enjoyed working together and had many beautiful moments with the whole cast who mostly are old friends of theirs. She evaded the question if Guillaume was being difficult at home during filming – à la Guido Contini in Nine – but said that the two things can be balanced.

She was equally evasive about her character in ‘Inception‘ but said that it is not “Cat Woman” – the character is very complex and enigmatic. She has many different sides to her. She shares with Christopher Nolan the love of seeing a movie without knowing anything about it in advance.

Coming to Cannes doesn’t feel like an obligation. There are things she’s obliged to do – like talk about ‘Les Petits Mouchoirs‘ – but they’re agreeable to do. And she didn’t sing Karaoke last night at the concert – contrary to what the people on the show thought. But apparently, Guillaume sang – during a time when Marion wasn’t there.

She confirms ‘Midnight in Paris‘ – she doesn’t share a scene with Carla Bruni – and ‘Contagion‘. She also grabs the opportunity to gush about Kate Winslet. However, she was very reluctant about ‘Cosmopolis‘ since she’s still in talks. (This makes sense as Variety reported she was “attached” to the movie – this means she hasn’t signed anything and having her name attached to the project will hopefully help get the project made.) Moreover, she hasn’t heard anything about ‘The Rivals‘ in a long time – its development has definitely been put on ice. Sadly, they didn’t ask her about ‘Second Coming‘.

Gallery: 276 Talk Shows > Le Grand Journal à Cannes – 2010
Video: 001 Talk Shows > Le Grand Journal

When Guillaume Canet was on Le Grand Journal earlier today (yesterday) he brought along 2 minutes of his upcoming movie ‘Les Petits Mouchoirs‘. It features Marion as a very fierce Marie in an unfortunate situation. The naughty boys are telling her to calm down but she just shouts that she IS calm! Guillaume is currently presenting a 10-minute Promo Reel at the film market. Let’s hope it gets picked up for foreign distribution so it’ll get released e.g in the US – and let’s hope for a trailer soon!

In other news, Marion & Guillaume were spotted by Madame Figaro‘s Marion Galy-Ramounot at the club “Heaven’s Floor by Albane” Sunday evening and by Gala outside their hotel on Monday. Earlier tonight Marion Cotillard was expected to attend Chopard’s 150th anniversary event according to The Globe and Mail. edit: some preview pictures here.

And Adrien Brody is joining the cast of ‘Midnight in Paris‘ according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Gallery: 035 Les petits mouchoirs (Little White Lies) – 2010 > Screencaptures > Movie Clip
Video: 001 Movie & TV Clips > Les Petits Mouchoirs

I think pretty much everyone knows by now that Marion Cotillard is starring in Woody Allen’s new movie set in Paris and up until now only known as Woody Allen Summer Project 2011. We know a bit more about it now but first let’s start at the beginning.

It was reported on March 2 by Deadline.com that Woody Allen cast Marion Cotillard as the “Muse” in his new Paris-based movie. On April 4 it was confirmed by Le Parisien that Marion Cotillard had really been cast for the movie and that filming in Paris was scheduled to begin July 5.

Shortly afterwards, rumours emerged that Marion was replacing France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy despite the NY Daily News reporting on April 4 that Ms Bruni was overheard as saying “It’s a real part, not just a cameo. But if I’m no good, I expect him to cut me out!” Official confirmation from Woody Allen’s rep that both Marion and Carla will be in the movie came via CNN on April 6.

Now onto the latest news. Variety reported that in a rare move Woody Allen announced a title as well as plot details for the movie yesterday. (usually he waits to see the finished product before giving it a name – if it’s good, he’ll give it an attention-getting title; if it’s bad, a less flashy one according to New York Magazine). Anyway, the movie is now titled “Midnight in Paris” and stars Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Carla Bruni. Also in the cast are Michael Sheen, Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy and Kurt Fuller.

Plot synopsis:

“Midnight in Paris” is a romantic comedy that follows a family travelling to the city for business, including a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man’s great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better.