Released last summer in the United States, Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache‘s drama The Intouchables took in just over $10 million, a respectable amount for a foreign import of the small-scale variety. But, in fact, it only accounted 2.4% of the film’s entire gross. In foreign markets — notably its home country of France — the film following the relationship between a quadriplegic and his unlikely care-taker brought in over $400 million, a figure most studios would dream of for the average tentpole.
While there hasn’t been much movement on the Hollywood remake at The Weinstein Company, the duo has now firmed up their follow-up project and they’ll be returning to the French-language arena. Titled Samba, the immigration dramedy will see Omar Sy returning, with the addition of upcoming Nymphomaniac star Charlotte Gainsbourg, musician/actress Izia Higelin and A Prophet and The Past‘s Tahar Rahim. Plot details are still spare, but Sy’s character will take the role of an undocumented immigrant. One can count me among fans of their last drama, so hopefully this one packs the same heart and humor.
Production kicks off soon for a late 2014 release. [Variety]
Are you a fan of The Intouchables? Are you looking forward to their next project?