Ad Vitam Thriller Hits 54M Views on Netflix, Sequel Stars Guillaume Canet, Sophie Marceau

From drama (“Les Petits Mouchoirs”) to comedy (“Rock’n Roll”), Guillaume Canet has established himself since the early 2000s as one of the most versatile faces in French cinema, usually guaranteeing box office success. However, if movie buffs were to pinpoint the film that skyrocketed his fame, they would likely mention “Tell No One,” released in 2006. A true adrenaline-fueled race against time, this breakout hit not only marked a significant point in his directing career but also paved the way for him to take on roles filled with similar vigor, such as in “Les Morsures de l’aube,” “Espion(s),” and “Acide.” These roles allowed the actor-director to diverge from his comedic roots.

The massive success of “Ad Vitam” on Netflix in September confirmed the audience’s appetite for a more serious and intense Guillaume Canet. Directed by his friend and frequent collaborator Rodolphe Lauga, who worked with him on “Rock’n Roll” and “Nous finirons ensemble,” this Netflix-produced thriller quickly gathered over 50 million viewers, an incredible achievement for a French film.

Less than a year later, Netflix has just confirmed that Guillaume Canet will reprise his role as Franck Lazareff in “Ad Vitam Eternam,” the direct sequel to the first film. After rescuing his wife Léo (Stéphane Caillard) from a kidnapping orchestrated by the DGSI to blackmail him, Franck narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. He then takes refuge with his family in the mountains, but the French intelligence services locate him and offer a deal: carry out a covert mission in exchange for the truth Franck seeks.

Directed by Ludovic Colbeau-Justin (known for “Néro”), this sequel boasts an impressive cast. Guillaume Canet will star opposite the renowned Sophie Marceau – confirming her return to the screen with this role and “LOL 2.0” after several years away – as well as the talented Nicolas Duvauchelle (“Polisse”) and Mathieu Amalric (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”).

Filmed in Savoie and co-written by thriller novelist Maxime Chattam, “Ad Vitam Eternam” has begun production and will soon be available on Netflix.