“Fantomas,” a reboot of the iconic French crime series, has assembled a strong local cast, including Guillaume Canet (“La Belle Époque”), Romain Duris (“The Three Musketeers”), Lina Coudry (“The French Dispatch”) and Louis Perez (“Les Misérables”).
Set to begin filming in Paris in January with filmmaker and co-writer Frédéric Tellier (Through the Fire), the action-packed thriller is scheduled for release in France in 2027. As Variety previously announced, “Fantomasses” will be sold to buyers at next week’s American Film Market by SND, which is handling financing, production, French distribution and international sales.
SND is producing through Paris-based Y Productions with French producer Wasim Beji of Boite noire.
Created by Marcel Alain and Pierre Souvestre in 1911, Fantômas is one of France’s most popular fictional characters, along with Arsène Lupin. Fantomas was first brought to the big screen in 1913 by director Louis Feuillard as part of a series of silent crime films for Gaumont. The property was then adapted into a crime comedy trilogy starring Jean Marais and Louis de Fine in 1964. The property was also turned into a limited television series in 1980 by Claude Chabrol and Juan Luis Buñuel. A ruthless and multifaceted thief and assassin, Fantomas has been the inspiration for various films. It inspired some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, including the surrealist poet Guillaume Apollinaire.
This ambitious film is set in Paris in 1914 and revolves around Fantomas, a master of deception and chaos, who is pursued by Lieutenant Huve as he investigates a series of violent crimes that have thrown the city into crisis. “In a time of violence and political tension, Lieutenant Juve finds himself searching for a man with no motive, purpose, pattern, or identity,” the synopsis reads.
Regarding the cast, Tellier said, “The chemistry between the actors will be exciting and I believe they will perfectly capture the essence of these iconic characters.”
“The coming together of two pillars of French cinema, Romain Duris and Guillaume Canet, as well as international star Lina Coudry and rising star Louis Pérez, creates a dynamic will that reflects the tension and evolution the story requires,” Tellier continued, adding that his film “brings a fresh perspective to an iconic character while staying true to its timeless essence.”
The film’s key crew includes cinematographer Glyn Speccart (‘In the Beginning’), producer/designer Florian Sanson (‘Holy Motors’), costume designer Olivier Beriot (‘Lupin’), and artistic director Frédéric Cambon (‘Lupin’, ‘John Wick 4’). The original score was composed by Guillaume.
Mr. Roussel’s credits include “The Three Musketeers” and “Dog 51.” Special effects are performed at Atelier 69 (“Titan”).
“More than 30 novels, 13 films, plays, and series have made this character timeless.
It transcends borders,” said Ramy Nahas, head of international sales at SND.
“Like “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Fantomas” is a film adaptation of a timeless classic.
We aim to become the next global blockbuster,” Nahas continued.
