X-Men's Berry brings Cannes crowd

X-Men III, subtitled The Last Stand, will be the finale of the series, said Director Brett Ratner.

"That doesn't mean there won't be a spin-off," he said, suggesting future films would focus on solitary characters from the X-Men comic books.

The latest film is showing out of competition at Cannes and opens around the world this week.

Featuring a large ensemble cast, the X-Men series follows the story of a group of mutants with extraordinary powers.

In the lastest installment humans, who consider the mutants to be diseased, develop a "cure", causing a rift in the mutant community.

Sir Ian McKellen, whose character Magneto leads a rebellion against the humans, said he felt drawn to the film as a "gay man who some people think ought to be cured".

The 66-year-old actor kept fans entertained at the premiere by performing a small dance on the red carpet.

Patrick Stewart, who plays Professor X in the film, joked that he was jealous of his co-star's success.

"I am still smarting from the fact that Sir Ian McKellen starred in Lord of the Rings and apparently there was nothing for me," he said.

Catwoman

Speaking to reporters at the premiere, Berry defended her previous superhero role in the flop movie Catwoman.

She said making the film was a "wonderful experience" and "one of the highlights" of her career.

"I pushed myself and grew as an artist in ways that will never be realised by anyone but me," she said.

X-Men: The Last Stand opens in theatres around the world this week.

In other news from Cannes: