Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood" Opens Cannes Film Festival

This year's lineup at the Cannes Film Festival is leaner and less star-studded than usual, but you wouldn't know that from Wednesday's high-glamour opening ceremony. Hollywood celebrities from Eva Longoria to Salma Hayek strutted their stuff on the red carpet for the premiere of Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood," which opened the French Riviera's 12-day film extravaganza.

Photo: Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood" Opens Cannes Film Festival

The film's stars, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, electrified the throngs of spectators who lined the red carpet hoping for a celebrity glimpse. Crowe, who plays the title role in Scott's muscular adaptation of the classic tale, sported sunglasses with his tuxedo, The Associated Press says.

Some past jury presidents, such as actor Sean Penn, have said they are looking for particular kinds of films, such as those with political messages, but Burton says he wants the panel "to be open and just let whatever we see affect us ... and to not have any preconceived ideas."

He is joined on the jury by filmmaking luminaries from around the globe: Puerto Rico's Benicio Del Toro, Britain's Kate Beckinsale, Indian director Shekhar Kapur, Italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno, French composer Alexandre Desplat (Fantastic Mr. Fox), and directors Victor Erice of Spain, Emmanuel Carrere of France, and Alberto Barbera, director of Italy's Museum of Cinema, California Chronicle informs.