Why is Perceval absent from Kaamelott 2? Franck Pitiot comes out of silence

“I can’t pretend (…) So I said no to Alexandre Astier.”

Since the unveiling of the casting of Second partthis is the hot topic that fuels discussions in the Kaamelott community. Character yet present since Dies iraethe 2003 short film at the origin of the series, Perceval is absent from the film released in cinemas this Wednesday. Finally he is there, in a way. But not his interpreter, Franck Pitiot.

Perceval is adored by fans, for his cult lines (“We have a lot of them!”) and his cult duet with Karadoc. And, inevitably, Alexandre Astier could not escape the question during the promotion of Kaamelott – Second part (part 1). In the interview he gave to Firstavailable now on newsstands, the creator of the saga explains:

“He didn’t want to do the new part. So I had to start again (…) When Franck left, I was sad for a moment, then not really. I think for the fans it will be a bit of the same – at least I hope so. For me now, it’s all a bit far away. And then, for sagas that take place over twenty-five, thirty years, turns of the wheel like that, it’s a bit inevitable. There will be others. There are people who leave, people who come back.“

Astier therefore had to rework the script following Franck Pitiot’s refusal. And, ultimately, the situation suits him very well. “The thing I really didn’t expect was to prefer the story I had to imagine when I learned that Franck wasn’t coming. I really like this story and I have to be honest: I wouldn’t have written it if he hadn’t left..”

But what does Franck Pitiot say about it? The actor came out of silence this week to set things straight. And try to put an end to the controversies, ensuring that there is no “war” between him and the creator of Kaamelott.

In a video interview posted on a YouTube channel created for the occasion, he first discusses his participation in Kaamelott – First partwhich he agreed to shoot without having read the script. Three years later, when he was contacted to do the Second partthis time he asks to read the script before saying yes.

“It pisses me off to go there without reading the script. I did it the first time and was a little frustrated. I want to read the script, how my character evolves“, he justifies. After a “verbal joust“, he wins his case. But what he discovers does not suit him:

“I call Alex, I tell him: I can’t find myself. (…) I can’t pretend, I play for fun, I can’t go and play a character that I don’t feel. So I said no to Alexandre Astier. I’m talking about my character, I’m not talking about the script.“

Franck Pitiot also regrets the imbroglio surrounding his presence in KV2where he was initially credited, something he was upset about by the film’s production. Then, “Alex is forced to release the casting in August, and then it catches fire on the networks.”

Pitiot explains having received a lot of support from fans (“I didn’t realize how much this character was loved.“), but others were there for “stir up hatred“.

“They say it’s a settling of scores between Alexandre Astier and me. This is not true. I came to the networks to clarify the situation. So I shared a few things and it escalated the situation. It’s just an artistic dispute. I’m happy that my character continues to live without me, it’s perhaps my best role.“

Perceval’s interpreter speaks without animosity, even if we sense a hint of regret. In any case, he leaves the door open for his return to the saga. “I’m not against doing 3. So why not…“