Caught in the Act

Cannes International Film Festival 2012

Cannes Film Festival Welcomes a Slew of Celebrities

By Dana Kennedy

05/16/2012 at 01:10 PM EDT

Sacha Baron Cohen kicked off the tradition of Cannes publicity stunts Wednesday when he appeared as his latest alter ego to promote his new comedy, The Dictator. Cohen arrived atop his camel, Osama, bringing the iconic Croisette promenade to a standstill in the process.

Four-legged arrivals aside, this year's Cannes Film Festival promises to be one of the most star-studded in years with some of Hollywood's biggest names scheduled to appear. Bruce Willis and Bill Murray were also photographed Wednesday on the red carpet for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, which opens the festival.

Others on the list of expected VIP attendees: The reigning king and queen of Cannes, Angelina Jolie and fiancé Brad Pitt (his new crime drama, Killing Them Softly premieres at the festival), though they may have some competition in the supercouple category this year.

RELATED: The (Unofficial) Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Guide to Cannes

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will promote their new films at the picturesque festival as well. Pattinson stars in David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis while Stewart plays Marylou in the film version of Jack Kerouac's classic On the Road.

Also expected to head from Hollywood to the French Riviera: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey and many more.

Wonder who's left to watch over Los Angeles?

Eva Longoria on WhoSay