New Orleans ? Hundreds of screaming fans on Saturday greeted stars Sean Penn, Jude Law and Kate Winslet at the city’s debut of “All the King’s Men,” much of which was filmed here just months before Hurricane Katrina struck.

“The city welcomed us with such open arms,” said Law, who, along with Winslet, signed autographs for fans jammed near the red carpet outside Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium. “After Katrina, it was even more important that we come here.”

Even before Katrina, Law said there was discussion about holding the event as a way of showing appreciation for New Orleans and the hospitality of its people.

Director Steven Zaillian said he couldn’t imagine not returning for the movie’s debut, following last week’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

“It’s something everyone wanted to do,” he said Friday as he prepared for the trip from New York. “It just seemed right.”

In comments before the start of the film, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco thanked Penn for his help directly after Katrina swamped New Orleans. Penn helped rescue workers with door-to-door searches for survivors.

Her comments drew thunderous applause.

Blanco and Zaillian then introduced the rest of the cast, including James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo and Louisiana native Patricia Clarkson.

Clarkson, who signed a yearbook for a fan in the crowd, said she feels very passionate about the story and was grateful to be a part of the film.

This is the second making of “All the King’s Men,” based on Robert Penn Warren’s 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by the same name. The novel, inspired by the life of Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long, also was turned into an Oscar-winning 1949 movie.

In this version, Penn plays the leading role of Willie Stark, a Southern politician whose rise to power is followed by a web of corruption and betrayal that ultimately leads to his downfall.

Zaillian, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Schindler’s List,” said it was by far the largest cast of stars he’s worked with on one project. He said some of them took smaller roles just to be part of the production.

“Some people think that movie stars are only interested in being in big, successful films. The smart ones do projects like this,” he said.

Another preview screening of the film is scheduled for Tuesday in Baton Rouge, where part of the movie was filmed. It opens in theaters nationwide Friday.