Cannes Film Festival 2012: A star is born CANNES, France -- "Last week, they called me to star in "Rambo 34," " said actor Matthias Schoenaerts with an admirably straight face. "I told them I wouldn't do it unless I could get "35" and "36" as well." The 34-year-old Belgian was speaking Thursday at the packed Cannes Film Festival press conference for "Rust & Bone," the new movie by French director Jacques Audiard ("A Prophet"). "Rust" features performances so strong by both Schoenaerts and costar Marion Cotillard -- and the actor's command of English is so good-- that the question of him joining her as a European star of Hollywood films is clearly only a matter of time. "Rust & Bone" is an edgy, fearlessly emotional romance between a physically damaged trainer of killer whales (Cotillard) and a violent, emotionally stunted security guard (Schoenaerts). "Rust & Bone" will be released in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics, which also distributed "A Prophet." Schoenaerts appeared in last year's Belgian film "Bullhead," which was a nominee for the best foreign-language Oscar. The actor made a huge impression in the movie, though it was little-seen in the United States. Schoenaerts said he had been nervous about appearing with his Oscar-winning costar. "I was intimidated," he said. "I thought "I'm never going to manage, I'm going to be useless, helpless." " As it turned out, he didn't have to worry a bit. Photo: Matthias Schoenaerts and Marion Cotillard at the press conference for "Rust & Bone." Credit: Ian Langsdon / EPA