Werner Herzog’s new film Bucking Fastard has been pulled from the Cannes Film Festival.
Werner Herzog’s new film Bucking Fastard has been pulled from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival after the director reportedly declined to premiere the movie outside the main competition – despite speculation it would appear on the Croisette alongside thi
The move is said to have come after the legendary German filmmaker, 83, declined to premiere the movie outside the main competition, amid growing scrutiny around how the prestigious festival selects its highest-profile titles.
Werner had been expected to unveil the Rooney Mara and Kate Mara-led drama at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival after the project was initially included in announcements surrounding the event’s line-up.
However, a spokesperson for the film confirmed the production would no longer screen at Cannes after organisers allegedly declined to place it in competition for the Palme d’Or.
The dispute has already drawn comparisons to filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, who similarly rejected a non-competition Cannes slot for his 2025 film Father Mother Sister Brother before premiering it at Venice, where it later won the Golden Lion.
Werner, widely regarded as one of cinema’s most influential auteurs through films including Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo and documentary Grizzly Man, has remained a towering figure in international cinema while continuing to work across both fiction and documentary filmmaking.
A spokesperson for Bucking Fastard said in a statement: “Bucking Fastard was invited as an official selection at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival which the filmmakers declined.”
Variety reported according to sources close to the production, Werner had hoped stars Rooney Mara and Kate Mara would be eligible for acting awards through a competition slot because of what were described as “searing performances” in the film.
Cannes organisers reportedly declined to comment on the matter.
The disagreement echoes comments made last year by Jim about Cannes’ selection process after his film was denied a competition berth.
Speaking to IndieWire, Jim said: “I submitted it to Cannes, and we were told, ‘It’s not selected for competition. We might put it in a different section.’”
He added: “To which I responded, ‘I haven’t made a film in five years. I’ve been in Cannes many times. That’s not appropriate to me’.”
Jim continued: “Competition’s very important to me in Cannes, not for the competition, but for the profile of the release of my film, so I can start getting the investors paid back, and I can make another film. It’s not about the awards.”
According to an official synopsis, Bucking Fastard follows twin sisters Jean and Joan Holbrooke, played by Rooney and Kate, as they begin digging a tunnel through a mountain range while searching for “an imaginary land where true love is possible”.
The film also stars Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson.
Rooney has remained in the spotlight in recent months through continuing discussion surrounding her long-term relationship with Joaquin Phoenix and her acclaimed independent film career, which includes performances in Carol, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Nightmare Alley.
Kate, meanwhile, is best known for projects including House of Cards, Fantastic Four and The Martian.
Speaking to Variety last year about working with Werner, Kate described the production as deeply personal.
She said: “One of the greatest experiences ever.”
Kate added: “Werner Herzog – there’s nobody like him on the planet.”
She continued: “So to be able to have that experience with him was magical. But then to have it with my sister, it’s sort of what dreams are made of.”
