Five Cinema Icons Receive France's Highest Honor at Élysée Palace Ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron awarded the Legion of Honor to five leading figures from international cinema at a ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris. The honorees included George Lucas, Jodie Foster, Sigourney Weaver, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, and French filmmaker Claude Lelouch, according to Variety.

VarietyMacron Awards France's Legion of Honor to Lucas, Foster, Weaver, Meledandri and Lelouch

France's highest civilian distinction dates back to 1802, created by Napoleon Bonaparte, as reported by Deadline. The ceremony recognized the honorees' contributions to global cinema and culture, with Macron personally bestowing the medals.

DeadlineGeorge Lucas, Jodie Foster, Sigourney Weaver Among Five Honored With French Legion of Honor

Variety described Meledandri as the founder of Illumination and producer of the "Despicable Me" and "Minions" franchise, while Lucas was noted as the creator of "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones." Foster is a two-time Oscar winner, and Weaver is known for her roles in "Alien" and "Avatar." Lelouch is a celebrated French filmmaker.

The Legion of Honor has been awarded to many international cultural figures over the years. The event at the Élysée Palace brought together a diverse group of filmmakers whose work has shaped popular entertainment across decades.