Universal has decided to launch a French-language arm, and the company’s first release will be a film based on the life of Je t’aime singer Serge Gainsbourg.
Variety (opens in new tab) reports that Eric Elmosnino will play Gainsbourg, who was known not only for his singing but for his string of famous, beautiful lovers, including Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin.
Sexy French model Laetitia Casta has signed on as Bardot, while Anna Mouglalis will play fellow singer Juliette Greco, who worked with Gainsbourg several times in his career.
Tough youth
In true music biopic style, the film will trace Gainsbourg’s life growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, all the way through his hard-living career to his death in 1991 at 62.
Graphic novel creator Joann Sfar will make the leap to directing for the film, which kicks off shooting in Paris this January.