Grégory Gadebois will be Jean Valjean in a new film about his origins
Director Éric Besnard goes back into the past of the famous character of Victor Hugo.
After Dominic West in a BBC miniseries (2018) and Hugh Jackman in the Hollywood musical (2012), Jean Valjean returns to France in the guise of Grégory Gadebois. The hero of Victor Hugomany times adapted for the big and small screen, will be the central character of a new film by Eric Besnardwho has just signed one of the great successes of 2024 with Louise Violet.
He will also find Alexandra Lamywho will be in the casting of this historical fresco which will go back to the origins of the character. Valjean is in fact thought of as a prequel which will tell of his release from prison and his difficult return to normal life, in post-Napoleonic France.
“1815. Jean Valjean leaves the prison after nineteen years of forced labor. Petrified by anger, the feeling of injustice and the violence suffered, he has become a dangerous animal who no longer trusts anything or anyone. evening, after having been rejected numerous times, he finds refuge with a priest Monseigneur Bienvenu lives there with his sister and a single servant (Lamy). Surprised by the warmth of the welcome, Jean Valjean is. shaken in his criminal convictions, he will have to choose between the definitive acts inspired by his hatred of the world and the acceptance of the outstretched hand. details the official synopsis.
Bernard Campan will play Monseigneur Bienvenu and Isabelle Carré will be his sister.
According to Le Film Français, the film has a substantial budget of 7 million euros. It is co-produced with France 3 Cinéma, Ciné+, OCS, HBO Max, Entourage and Cinécap, while Warner will distribute the film.
The filming of Valjean has just started and will last 7 weeks until the end of February.
