When David Bowie makes a comeback, he does so in style -- and has lots of famous friends who want in on the fun. His latest music video, the title track from his album "The Next Day," stars Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard and Oscar-nominated actor Gary Oldman -- and seems designed to stir controversy.
The video, directed by Floria Sigismondi (who also directed the video for Bowie's earlier release' "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"), features Oldman as a priest, Bowie as a prophet (think Jesus Christ) and Cotillard as a saintly figure. Meanwhile, in the background, a Cardinal is dealing in cash and a nun prays ... and that's before the stigmata starts gushing.
At the video's end, the cast of characters gathers around Bowie as he beatifically thanks Oldman and Cotillard directly, then "everybody," and at the toll of a bell, vanishes.
(Note: Video contains some violent scenes.)
Bowie's "Stars" video also featured an Oscar winner: Tilda Swinton.
He's worked with Oldman before; the pair recorded Bowie's "You've Been Around" for frequent Bowie-collaborator and guitarist Reeves Gabrel's 1995 album "The Sacred Squall of Now." Oldman and Bowie also appeared together in the 1996 biopic "Basquiat," where Bowie played Andy Warhol and Oldman played painter Albert Milo.