The Globe and Mail

Heavyweight directors Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Woody Allen, and celebrities Robert de Niro, Bill Murray, Helen Mirren and Bruce Springsteen are among the galaxy of stars expected at next month's Toronto International Film Festival.

The festival guest list, released Tuesday morning, also includes Natalie Portman, Catherine Deneuve, Carey Mulligan, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm and Matt Damon.

It's Eastwood's first trip to the festival since he was here in 1990 with White Hunter Black Heart. this time, the 80-year-old director will screen Hereafter, starring Damon as a blue-collar worker with a connection to the afterlife.

Springsteen's appearance is also sure to cause a frenzy. He's the subject of a documentary from Thom Zimny and is scheduled to chat onstage with actor Edward Norton about The Promise: the Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town.

The 11-day movie marathon opens Sept. 9 with the coming-of-age comedy Score: a Hockey Musical from hometown director Michael McGowan. It features ’80s popstar Olivia Newton-John, who is also expected to attend the fest.

Others bound for the prestigious showcase – widely considered an early launching pad for the winter awards season – include Mickey Rourke, Steve Coogan, Zach Galifianakis, will Ferrell, Uma Thurman, and Javier Bardem.

Conspicuously absent from the list of visitors were rookie director Casey Affleck and actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix, whose film, I'm still Here, is set to make its world premiere.

The controversial movie is said to follow Phoenix's attempt to launch a hip-hop career, and secrecy around the project has fuelled much online debate over whether it is a documentary or a staged mockumentary.

Canadians attending the festival include Ellen Page, Ryan Gosling, Scott Speedman, Xavier Dolan and Ryan Reynolds.

The Toronto International Film Festival celebrates its 35th year Sept. 9 to 19.