John Travolta, 72, stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of his directorial debut Propeller One-Way Night Coach on Thursday wearing a black three-piece suit and yet another beret, extending a viral fashion streak that began at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. The film, based on a children's book he wrote in 1997, stars his daughter Ella Bleu and will stream on Apple TV starting May 29. In an interview with CNN, Travolta said the beret and glasses are a deliberate homage to the old-school directors he admires, and that the distinctive look helps him anchor memories of the event.
Why a 72-Year-Old Director Embraced the Beret After 50 Years in Film
According to the source report, Travolta explained to CNN that "the old school directors wore berets and the glasses. And I thought, that's what I'm doing." He added that after five decades in Hollywood, events blur together, so the beret serves as a mnemonic device. the actor faced heavy online mockery at Cannes for wearing three different berets, but he has not backed down—instead doubling down with the same look in LA.
Propeller One-Way Night Coach: A 28-Year-Old Children's Book Comes to Screen
The film marks Travolta's debut as a director and is adapted from a story he wrote 28 years ago, in 1997 . Propeller One-Way Night Coach follows a young airplane enthusiast named Jeff (played by newcomer Clark Shotwell) and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) on a cross-country odyssey to Hollywood. the movie is produced independently and will not receive a wide theatrical release, instead launching straight to Apple TV on May 29. The source notes that Travolta's daughter Ella Bleu plays the role of Doris, making it a family affair.
From Cannes Roasts to CNN Defense: The Social Media Storm Around the Beret and Dyed Beard
Travolta's beret-and-beard combination was "mercilessly roasted" by fans at Cannes, according to the report. Yet the actor's response in his CNN interview was measured: he framed the look as a conscious artistic choice rather than a fashion faux pas. The dyed dark-brown beard has also drawn separate attention on social media. The report says that Travolta "broke his silence" on the chatter during the CNN interview, suggesting the controversy had reached a critical mass that required a public explanation.
What Remains Unanswered: Will the Beret Define Travolta's Directorial Career or Fade Away?
The source does not disclose whether Travolta plans to wear the beret at future events or if the look is exclusive to his directorial debut promotion. It also does not include any critical reaction to the film itself—only buzz about the faashion. Without reviews or box-office figures,it is unclear whether Propeller One-Way Night Coach will succeed on its own merits or be overshadowed by its creator's headwear.. The source also omits any comment from industry peers or fashion critics, leaving readers with only Travolta's own explanation.
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