Welcome To Cannes France!
It’s home to the world’s most prestigious film festival, and now a “White Lotus” Hotel as well…but one famous Actress has checked out!
A Shocking Casting Change!
This is unusual: acclaimed Actress Helena Bonham Carter was announced as the lead in season 4 of “The White Lotus”, and filming was already underway in the south France – until this shocking news was revealed by Deadline.com:
“With filming just underway on Season 4 of The White Lotus, it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set,” an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks. HBO, the producers and Mike White are saddened that they won’t get to work with her, but remain ardent fans and very much hope to work with the legendary actress on another project soon.”
So, one week into film, Helena Bonham Carter is out! Hmmm…that last line is a bit “Hollywood boilerplate ‘best wishes'” to be sure…
Season 4 of Mike White’s The White Lotus began filming just a week ago on the French Riviera. After weeks of speculation, HBO has confirmed in the start of production announcement that the Cannes Film Festival, which will take place in the area during filming of the new installment, will be part of the story.
Per the official logline, Season 4 will follow a new group of White Lotus hotel guests and employees over the span of a week, taking place during the Cannes Film Festival.
Hotels featured in the new season include the the previously rumored Airelles Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez as the White Lotus du Cap, joined by the Hôtel Martinez as the White Lotus Cannes.
The latter, situated on the famous Promenade de la Croisette, is a major VIP hub for celebrities and executives during the festival.
Here are the other Season 4 cast announced: Vincent Cassel, Steve Coogan, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Dylan Ennis, Corentin Fila, Ari Graynor, Kumail Nanjiani, and Nadia Tereszkiewicz.
Additional cast includes Chloe Bennet, Sandra Bernhard, Heather Graham, Max Greenfield, Frida Gustavsson, Charlie Hall, Jarrad Paul, Rosie Perez, Ben Schnetzer, and Laura Smet. Rumor is these celebrities could be part of the film festival activities that the fictional cast interact with – we will see!
And as they said, the show will film along Cannes’ famous Croisette, a promenade on the edge of the French Riviera!
I was lucky to have attended the film festival 12 times in my career, and it’s alway amazing!
Still one of my favorite shots: that my wife Alex and my good friend and Host Michael Castner, sitting in the stairwell of the famous Carlton Hotel!
The last time I was in Cannes, I happened upon a familiar scene: a beach party in the middle of the hot summer day!
I can’t wait to see how they utilize the town in the midst of the world’s most important film festival!
Remember that Alex and I inadvertently stayed in the hotel used in “The White Lotus” season 2!
Yes, we booked the San Dominico Palace in Taormina Sicily – after they filmed season 2 but before the show aired…here’s what you saw in the TV show – it was our room! Here’s the room and what was outside on our terrace!
Click here for a closer look at the resort with some inside stories as well!
I have shared many stories of my adventures at the Cannes Film Festival – like the year I filmed with Joan and Melissa Rivers!
We shot a Cannes Fashion Review from the dock of the iconic Carlton Hotel – see how we pulled it off here!
And I shared the book that told the inside story of the festival thanks to the late Film Critic Roger Ebert – see that plus my memories of the festival with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Prince Albert too!
Another highlight of that time was interviewing Jim Carrey on the Croisette as well:
He was hilarious, about to become a superstar thanks to “The Mask” – and we got to interview his new co-star Cameron Diaz as well…check out the video:
You can read the whole story here:
Of course, you can’t visit Cannes without enjoying the food, like this incredible Soupe de Poisson!
Here’s a tour of the city through he incredible food you can find!
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Categories: Art, Cannes Film Festival, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, True Hollywood Mystery, TV Show
johnrieber 
I haven’t seen the show, but loved reading your post. Thanks for sharing, John.
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Wow, that’s a shocker. I’ve never watched the show, but a major cast change can be devastating.
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I’ve never seen the show, John, as I don’t subscribe to HBO. Shared on Twitter for you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I might be one of the only Americans or others who’ve never watched it but I do know a PR kissoff phrase when I read one -)
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For such a critically-acclaimed show, the statement read very….well, just as you said!
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That’s a shame about Helen Bonham Carter. I’m a fan, but what I know about White Lotus — it does seem like a stretch. Oh well, It’s a shame it didn’t work out. Love how you pointed out Hollywood’s wink-wink hidden messages. “See ya later and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” 🤣🤣🤣
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Yes, that wording is pretty obvious…it will be interesting to see how this season goes…we are huge fans but had some issues with the storylines in season 3…it’s a delicate balance and usually the larger the cast, the more unfocused it can become…this is a very large cast. Thanks for sending a note!
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I have to admit I’m behind with white lotus. I know lots of fans. I watched the first 20 minutes when it came out — got pulled away and haven’t gone back. I need to come out of my cave and try again!
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Try season two first…season one took a bit to get going and season 3 is a bit too messy – cast got too large…
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