Barry Keoghan is back at the Cannes Film Festival, and this time he’s bringing a deeply personal indie drama, a growing production company, and even more mystery surrounding his possible return as the Joker in The Batman Part II. The Saltburn actor is starring alongside Riley Keough in Butterfly Jam, director Kantemir Balagov’s first English-language feature, which is opening Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes 2026.
In the film, Keoghan plays the father of a Circassian family living within a tight-knit New Jersey community. The actor admitted it feels surreal stepping into father roles now.
“Crazy. Now I’m the dad,” he joked during his Deadline interview.
The movie centers heavily on family dynamics, culture, and identity, with Keoghan describing it as a “proper European movie set in New Jersey.” He also revealed the project became the first feature involvement for his own production company, Wolfcub Productions.
Keoghan said working on Butterfly Jam reminded him why he fell in love with filmmaking in the first place.
“When it’s an independent movie, you feel the hunger on set,” he explained. “It creates a safeness for you to be vulnerable.”
The actor also praised co-star Riley Keough, calling her energy “raw,” “unpredictable,” and “astonishing to watch.”
One of the film’s standout moments involves Keoghan and Keough dancing together in a kitchen to Circassian music. According to Keoghan, the scene was meant to feel loose and organic rather than perfectly choreographed.
Fans also got a small update about Keoghan’s highly anticipated role as Ringo Starr in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, director Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-part Beatles film series.
Although he stayed careful not to reveal too much, Keoghan described the production as “incredible” and said Mendes has created an environment that still feels intimate despite the massive scale of the films.
“It has that indie soul to it,” he said. “I’m feeling super safe to reach and bring forward the most vulnerable truths.”
He also praised cinematographer Greig Fraser and said he has been learning a lot simply by watching the filmmaking process unfold around him.
As for the question fans really wanted answered, whether he’ll reprise his role as the Joker in The Batman Part II, Keoghan refused to confirm anything.
The actor dodged the topic completely, keeping speculation alive about whether his chilling cameo in Matt Reeves’ The Batman will lead to a larger role in the sequel.
Keoghan also reflected on his unusual “animal theme” connection with Cannes, pointing to projects like The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Bird, Butterfly Jam, and now his production company Wolfcub.
“There’s an animal theme with Cannes and me,” he laughed.
Between indie dramas, blockbuster franchises, and one of the most anticipated music films in years, Barry Keoghan’s career just keeps getting bigger, even if he still seems most comfortable in the raw chaos of smaller films.