Barry Keoghan was back on the red carpet as new film Bird was launched at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Thursday afternoon. 

With the bathwater surrounding his last starring role still warm, the Saltburn star joined cast and crew on the Croisette to promote his latest film, a hard-hitting drama set in suburban Kent.

Keoghan, 31, plays Bug in the new film, a heavily tattooed, single father-of-two living hand-to-mouth with his children in a run-down squat.

And he was joined by its principal cast on Thursday, among them child actress Jackie Mellor, four, who stars alongside the Irish actor as his stepdaughter in the forthcoming film 

The pair were seen flashing peace signs for waiting photographers before ascending the Croisette steps, with Keoghan crouching on his haunches to ensure he and Mellor were facing each other. 

Barry Keoghan was joined by Jackie Mellor on the red carpet as they promoted new film Bird at the  back on the red carpet as new film Bird at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Thursday afternoon 

The pair were seen flashing peace signs for waiting photographers before ascending the Croisette steps 

Keoghan plays Bug in the new film, a heavily tattooed, single father-of-two living hand-to-mouth with his children in a run-down squat

Bird director Andrea Arnold was in attendance after accepting the 2024 Carrosse d’Or (Golden Coach Award) at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes on Wednesday. 

'It was the hardest film I ever made,' she told those in attendance of its production. 'There were many challenges, more than usual, and there seemed to be more restrictions than I’d ever known. 

'Lots of things I’ve put on the page and cared about got lost, so the edit was really hard. It was proving really hard to carve from the rushes something of the film I had intended. 

'I was grieving the losses and I felt pretty vulnerable.'

Without referring directly to the film's challenges, she added: 'With all their words of support and recognition, and it was awarded by the French Society of Directors, people who understood what mounting a film is and people who would understand what I was going through, at that moment, I found the words to use to talk about my work incredibly moving.

'It made me feel that others were standing with me. It renewed my energy and determination to keep at what I was doing, to try and find the essence of the film that I had intended. 

'It made me think, too, about what it means to be supported and encouraged, and how crucial it is.' 

Keoghan rose to acclaim in The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned him a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, while he was also nominated for an Oscar in the same category.

Keoghan looked suitably dapper in a Burberry shirt, tuxedo jacket and trousers as he greeted onlookers in the South-of-France on Thursday 

Fontaines DC musician Carlos O'Connell also joined the Irish actor on the red carpet 

Franz Rogowski, who plays the title character in the new film, was also present in Cannes 

Bird co-stars Franz Rogowski, Barry Keoghan and Jackie Mellor offered peace signs to the assembled press as they posed on the Croisette steps 

(L-R) Bird actress Jasmine Jobson and DC Fontaines musician Carlos O'Connell in Cannes 

Keoghan and Mellor crouched behind cinematographer Robbie Ryan as he took photos on the red carpet 

The Irish actor has also played major roles in The Batman, Eternals, American Animals, Dunkirk and Chernobyl.

It was confirmed in May 2023 that he had been cast in director Andrea Arnold's Bird alongside Franz Rogowski. 

His decision to star in Bird resulted in his withdrawal from Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator sequel due to a scheduling conflict.

He had been due to star as Emperor Geta in the new Gladiator movie but Fred Hechinger has since replaced him. 

Keoghan appeared to be in high spirits as he walked the red carpet on the Cannes Croisette

The Irish actor has also played major roles in The Batman, Eternals, American Animals, Dunkirk, Chernobyl and The Banshees of Inisherin