First photo: After The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, this great hero of French literature returns to cinema

Last November, we announced that 2025 would see the light of day in two films adapted from Victor Hugo’s misadventures: Fred Cavae (Pour elle, Mea Culpa) with Vincent Lyndon as Jean Valjean and Eric. Besnard (Délicieux, Louis Violet), titled Jean Valjean, directed by Grigor Gadebois in the title role, with Bernard Campan, Isabel Carré and Alexandra Lamy.

The shooting of this second project has just started and will continue till February 27. In this case, Warner Bros. France published the first photo of Grigory Gadebois in the role of the legendary hero of French literature.

Moving from shadow to light

Written by Eric Besnard based on Victor Hugo’s work, the feature film takes place in 1815. Jean Valjean leaves prison after nineteen years of hard labor. Petrified with anger, a sense of injustice, and the violence he endured, he became a dangerous animal, trusting no one and no one.

One evening, after many rejections, he found refuge with a priest. Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan) lives there with his sister (Isabelle Carré) and a single servant (Alexandra Lammy). Surprised by the warmth of the greeting, Jean Valjean is shaken in his criminal convictions. He will have to choose between the ultimate actions inspired by his hatred of the world and accepting the open hand.

This project has the distinction of being an adaptation of the first 100 pages of Les Misérables, which tells the story of “Jean Valjean’s transition from shadow to light.” The release date has not been announced yet.

French cinema takes on literary classics

Published in 1862, ““wretched” It has already been adapted for cinema many times. One of the most famous transpositions remains with Jean Gabin in 1958. The last dates from 2013, with the adaptation of Tom Hooper’s musical comedy with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. I was impressed by the 2000 TV version starring Gerard Depardieu.

The announcement of these two projects is part of a trend to embrace literary heritage by adapting well-known classics for the general public. After the recent successes of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, French cinema continues to popularize stories.

Let us remind you that Dimitri Rassam, Mathieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellier are planning to adapt the literary saga of Maurice Drouin, “Kings of the Cursed”.