Even without a movie in the official selection, James Franco is making a mark at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The 48-year-old actor turned up Tuesday night at the opening ceremony, posing on the grand Palais red carpet arm-in-arm with longtime girlfriend Izabel Pakzad with whom he has made a handful of Cannes appearances in recent years. He sat in the audience as Peter Jackson accepted an honorary Palme d’Or from his Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood and looked on as jury members like Demi Moore, Ruth Negga and Stellan Skarsgard were introduced, followed by a stage appearance from Jane Fonda and Gong Li to officially declare the fest open for business. Franco and Izabel Pakzad attend opening ceremony and the premiere of The Electric Venus during the 79th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 12, 2026.…