In an exciting turn of events, this year's 77th Cannes Film Festival is set to witness the reunion of New Hollywood minds in France. The festival's Honorary Palme d'Or recipient, George Lucas, will be joined by acclaimed filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and Paul Schrader, who are both competing in the official Competition for the first time in decades.

Schrader, known for his "lonely man in a room" trilogy, which premiered in Venice, has chosen Cannes as the platform to showcase his latest film, "Oh, Canada." This contemplative drama revolves around a tortured writer reflecting on his past as a leftist who sought refuge in Canada to evade the Vietnam War draft. The star-studded cast includes Jacob Elordi, Richard Gere, and Uma Thurman, promising an unforgettable red carpet moment for Elordi, who gained fame from the series "Euphoria."

Schrader, renowned for his screenplay of the Palme d'Or-winning film "Taxi Driver" in 1976, rarely graces the Cannes Film Festival. His previous appearance in competition was in 1988 with "Patty Hearst." This year, the spotlight is on "Oh, Canada," based on the novel "Foregone" by Russell Banks. Industry insiders will be eagerly awaiting distribution plans for this thought-provoking drama.

Meanwhile, Francis Ford Coppola, another icon of the New Hollywood era, is also returning to compete at Cannes after a long hiatus. Coppola's last competition entry was in 1979 when he triumphed with the Palme d'Or-winning masterpiece, "Apocalypse Now." His earlier work, "The Conversation," also earned him the Palme d'Or in 1974, sandwiched between the first two installments of "The Godfather" series.

Coppola, who previously served as the president of the Cannes jury in 1996, has presented his latest project, "Megalopolis," to select filmmakers and friends in the United States. This highly anticipated science fiction epic, self-funded with a staggering $120 million budget, showcases a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Shia LaBeouf, and Aubrey Plaza. "Megalopolis" has been described as a passion project, marked by its ambitious narrative and groundbreaking visual effects, set in a dystopian metropolis akin to a ruined New York City. The film promises to captivate audiences with its unconventional storytelling.

While Coppola's presence at Cannes was previously hinted at with the announcement of George Lucas receiving the Honorary Palme, the excitement surrounding "Megalopolis" continues to build. Despite not having achieved a commercial hit in decades, Coppola's dedication to pushing the boundaries of narrative storytelling remains unwavering. The concept for "Megalopolis" can be traced back to the days of "Apocalypse Now," a film that tested Coppola's endurance and creative vision.

As the 77th Cannes Film Festival lineup is unveiled, all eyes will be on the triumphant return of these New Hollywood legends. Festival-goers and industry insiders alike eagerly anticipate the showcase of their remarkable talents and the chance to witness cinematic brilliance on the French Riviera once again.