Barnard rugby-tackles handbag robber before film
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- Aneurin Barnard chased down, rugby tackled, and held a handbag snatcher in Annecy, France, after the thief robbed an elderly woman in front of him, then jogged to a film panel about an hour later.
- Director Duncan Jones shared the incident on Bluesky, writing that Barnard returned the handbag to the 'traumatised granny' and held the culprit until police arrived, then 'sits down, calm as can be' to discuss the film.
- The Annecy International Animation Film Festival confirmed the robbery took place in the city centre, not on the festival site.
- Rogue Trooper, the animated sci-fi film Barnard was promoting, is based on a UK comic series about a 'genetic infantryman' and is released later this year.
- Jones, son of David Bowie, wrote and directed Rogue Trooper; the voice cast includes Jack Lowden, Reece Shearsmith, Diane Morgan, Sean Bean, and Asa Butterfield.
Why it matters: Jones's viral Bluesky post generated free publicity for Rogue Trooper on the eve of its festival premiere by spotlighting Barnard's off-screen character, while Annecy Municipal Police are still reviewing an alleged robbery that occurred on the city's streets.
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