You’re an actor, director, and producer how do you juggle all these roles on a daily basis?
Wearing all these hats allows me to manage a project from start to finish. There are so many stages between the moment you have an idea in your head and the day you see it on the big screen. Being in control of each step helps ensure the story stays true to its essence. And at least, if it doesn’t work out, there’s only myself to blame.
What motivated you to bring Marsupilami back to the big screen, and how did you approach this challenge?
Pathé approached me a few years ago, and I felt both honored and lucky to be asked to adapt such an iconic character as Marsupilami. Everyone knows him he’s part of pop culture. I even had a few of the comics when I was a kid. I saw it as a chance to create a big family adventure comedy, something I’ve always dreamed of doing.
You grew up admiring legendary comedy groups like : Le Splendid and Les Inconnus. What was it like to work alongside some of their members?
Working with the people who inspired us to do this job is truly fantastic. I try to learn as much as I can from their experience and do everything possible to make them shine. It’s very important to me that they feel proud of the film they’re in. I see their trust as a gift, and I don’t want to let them down.
The “Bande à Fifi” keeps evolving how has the group’s dynamic changed over the years?
At first, I was the only one in the group who wanted to direct. Then Tarek decided to start directing as well. When we write our films together Pierre Dudan, Julien Arruti, my brother Pierre Lacheau, and I, Tarek is often busy filming or editing his own projects (Épouse-moi mon pote, 30 jours max…). And when we’re shooting ours (Babysitting, Alibi.com, Marsupilami), it’s the other way around. We all appear in each other’s films, and the same goes for Reem Kherici.
As a producer, what kind of projects or comedies are you most interested in developing?
Right now, we’re a small production company mainly co-producing the films I direct. We’re not developing many outside projects yet, but that may come later.
How do you view the current state and evolution of French cinema and comedy?
There’s an incredible amount of talent in France. Just look at what happened last year three completely different types of films became huge box-office hits (Un petit truc en plus, Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, and L’Amour ouf). We really have every reason to be proud of our cinema.
What’s the one proposal you’re still waiting for, the one that hasn’t come your way yet?
Titanic 2 (laugh)
Which upcoming projects are you most excited about and can already share with us?
I’m most looking forward to meeting audiences again during the nationwide advance screenings for Marsupilami, starting December 2nd. We make movies for the public so being able to see them in theaters, hear them laugh, and share that energy feels like a real reward.
What would you like to wish our LiFE Magazine readers?
I wish you all a wonderful end of the year and a fantastic start to 2026 !
