The Cannes Film Festival is set to become the backdrop for the most ambitious season of HBO’s hit anthology series The White Lotus, with creator Mike White turning his satirical lens on the international film industry for Season 4.
Production is now underway across Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Paris, with filming expected to span seven months and a reported budget of approximately $120 million, according to Variety. The new season will centre on two rival film teams arriving on the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, each staying at competing luxury hotels while navigating fame, power struggles and cultural clashes.
The series will use some of France’s most iconic luxury properties as filming locations, including the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, which has reportedly been transformed into the fictional “White Lotus du Cap”, alongside Cannes’ legendary Hôtel Martinez and Paris’ Hôtel Lutetia. While the production remains highly discreet, local interest has grown steadily, particularly after large-scale casting calls for extras attracted crowds eager to take part in recreating the festival atmosphere.
Cannes becomes the ‘beating heart’ of the story
Producer David Bernad described the Cannes Film Festival as the “beating heart” of the new season during an appearance at Canneseries in April. According to Bernad, the setting allowed the writers to explore themes of celebrity, influence and social hierarchy within one of the world’s most glamorous cultural events.
“When we located the show at the Cannes Film Festival specifically, this idea of fame popped up,” Bernad said, according to Variety. “Who has the world’s attention, who are the people that can grab the world’s attention, who are the plus-one in a relationship, who’s the person that has that power — and how that shapes a dynamic.”
The production will reportedly recreate its own version of Cannes immediately after this year’s festival concludes, using the Palais des Festivals and surrounding Croisette locations once crowds have departed.
French cast joins international ensemble
French actor Vincent Cassel has reportedly joined the cast as the hotel manager, alongside French performers Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Laura Smet. International stars set to appear include Steve Coogan, Kumail Nanjiani, Sandra Bernhard and Rosie Perez.
Variety also reported that Helena Bonham Carter had originally joined the production before departing over creative differences, with Laura Dern later stepping into a newly developed role.
The season is expected to continue the franchise’s signature exploration of social awkwardness and cultural misunderstanding, this time fuelled by the contrast between Hollywood excess and French Riviera sophistication. Bernad told journalists that experiences with French hospitality staff during location scouting helped shape the creative direction of the series.
Major economic boost for Cannes
Local officials have welcomed the HBO production as a major coup for the region after coordinated efforts helped secure the project for the Côte d’Azur. According to Cannes deputy mayor Sophie Mouysset, the shoot is expected to generate approximately 17,000 hotel nights while bringing substantial economic activity to the city.
The production will temporarily leave the Riviera during the height of the summer tourist season before resuming filming later in the year.
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Photo is an AI generated image and is not an official representation of The White Lotus season four