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Luc Besson

Writer | Producer | Director

Luc Besson spent the first years of his life following his parents, scuba diving instructors, around the world. His early life was entirely aquatic. He already showed amazing creativity as a youth, writing early drafts of The Big Blue and The Fifth Element, as an adolescent bored in school. He... See full bio »

Born:

in Paris, France
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Luc Besson and Michelle Yeoh Still of Luc Besson and Robert De Niro in Malavita Director Luc Besson Luc Besson, Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg in Bandidas Luc Besson Luc Besson at event of Kiss of the Dragon
26 photos | 60 videos | 2554 news articles »

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Projects In Development help

Flora Plum
Ruby Tuesday
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Valerian
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Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 24 wins & 21 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideWriter (51 titles)
???? Taken 3 (announced)
 
2014 Lucy (pre-production)
 
2014 Brick Mansions (screenplay) (filming)
 
2013 Malavita (post-production)
 
2013 Three Days to Kill (writer) (post-production)
 
2013 Un prince (presque) charmant
 
2012 Transporter: The Series (TV series)
– City of Love (2012) (based on characters created by)
– 12 Hours (2012) (based on characters created by)
– Trojan Horsepower (2012) (based on characters created by)
– Sharks (2012) (based on characters created by)
– Dead Drop (2012) (based on characters created by)
See all 8 episodes »
 
2012 No Limit (TV mini-series)
– Episode #1.5 (2012) (creator / idea)
– Episode #1.6 (2012) (creator / idea)
– Episode #1.3 (2012) (adaptation and dialogue / creator / idea)
– Episode #1.4 (2012) (adaptation and dialogue / creator / idea)
– Episode #1.1 (2012) (creator / idea / scenario, adaptation and dialogue)
See all 6 episodes »
 
2012 Taken 2 (based on characters created by / written by)
 
2012 Blind Man (original idea)
 
2012 Lockout (original idea / screenplay)
 
2011 Colombiana (screenplay)
 
2010 Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds
 
2010 The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (screenplay)
 
2010 From Paris with Love (story)
 
2009 Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (characters / screenplay / dialogues)
 
2009 District 13: Ultimatum (scenario)
 
2008 Transporter 3 (characters / written by)
 
2008/I Taken (written by)
 
2007 Taxi 4 (scenario)
 
2006 Arthur and the Invisibles (book / written by)
 
2006 Bandidas (written by)
 
2005 Angel-A
 
2005 Revolver (adaptation)
 
2005 Transporter 2 (characters / written by)
 
2005 Unleashed (written by)
 
2004 District B13
 
2004/I Taxi (earlier screenplay)
 
2004 Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse
 
2003 Michel Vaillant (screenplay)
 
2003 Fanfan la tulipe (writer)
 
2003 Taxi 3 (scenario)
 
2002 The Transporter (written by)
 
2001 Wasabi
 
2001 Kiss of the Dragon (screenplay)
 
2001 Yamakasi - Les samouraïs des temps modernes (original idea / scenario)
 
1997-2001 La Femme Nikita (TV series)
– A Time for Every Purpose (2001) (characters)
– Let No Man Put Asunder (2001) (characters)
– The Evil That Men Do (2001) (characters)
– The Man Behind the Curtain (2001) (characters)
– All the World's a Stage (2001) (characters)
See all 96 episodes »
 
2000 The Dancer (story)
 
2000 Taxi 2
 
1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (written by)
 
1998 The Fifth Element (Video Game) (screenplay / story)
 
1998/I Taxi
 
1997 The Fifth Element (screenplay / story)
 
1994 Léon: The Professional
 
1993 Point of No Return (film La Femme Nikita)
 
1990 La Femme Nikita
 
1988 The Big Blue (screenplay / story)
 
1986 Kamikaze
 
1985 Subway (dialogue / scenario)
 
1983 Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle) (writer)
 
1981 L'avant dernier (short)
 
Show ShowProducer (115 titles)
2015 Gardel (executive producer) (in production)
 
???? Taken 3 (producer) (announced)
 
2014 Lucy (producer) (pre-production)
 
2014 Brick Mansions (producer) (filming)
 
2013 The Homesman (producer) (filming)
 
2013 Malavita (producer) (post-production)
 
2013 Three Days to Kill (producer) (post-production)
 
2013 The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (producer) (completed)
 
2013 Intersections (producer)
 
2013 Un prince (presque) charmant (producer)
 
2012-2013 Transporter: The Series (TV series) (executive producer - 10 episodes)
– Give the Guy a Hand (2013) (executive producer)
– Cherchez la femme (2012) (executive producer)
– City of Love (2012) (executive producer)
– 12 Hours (2012) (executive producer)
– Hot Ice (2012) (executive producer)
See all 10 episodes »
 
2012 No Limit (TV mini-series) (producer - 5 episodes)
– Episode #1.5 (2012) (producer)
– Episode #1.6 (2012) (producer)
– Episode #1.3 (2012) (producer)
– Episode #1.4 (2012) (producer)
– Episode #1.2 (2012) (producer)
 
2012 Taken 2 (producer)
 
2012 Blind Man (producer)
 
2012 Lockout (executive producer)
 
2011 The Lady (producer - uncredited)
 
2011 La planque (producer)
 
2011 A Monster in Paris (producer)
 
2011 Colombiana (producer)
 
2011 The Source (producer)
 
2011 Halal police d'État (producer)
 
2010 Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds (producer)
 
2010 The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (associate producer)
 
2010 22 Bullets (producer)
 
2010 Coursier (producer)
 
2010 From Paris with Love (producer)
 
2009 Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (producer)
 
2009 Little New York (co-producer)
 
2009/I Home (documentary) (producer)
 
2009 In the Beginning (producer - uncredited)
 
2009 Le missionnaire (producer)
 
2009 District 13: Ultimatum (producer)
 
2009 I Love You Phillip Morris (executive producer)
 
2008 Transporter 3 (producer)
 
2008/I Taken (producer - uncredited)
 
2007 Valérian & Laureline (TV series) (producer)
 
2007 My Very Best Friend (executive producer)
 
2007 The Secret (executive producer, producer)
 
2007 L'invité (executive producer)
 
2007 Frontier(s) (co-producer)
 
2007 Michou d'Auber (executive producer)
 
2007 Taxi 4 (producer)
 
2006 Confession (TV movie) (associate producer)
 
2006 Arthur and the Invisibles (producer)
 
2006 Tell No One (executive producer)
 
2006 Love and Other Disasters (executive producer)
 
2006 Golden Door (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2006 The Jungle (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2006 Dikkenek (executive producer - uncredited)
 
2006 April in Love (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2006 Quand j'étais chanteur (executive producer)
 
2006 Murderers (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2006 The Chinese Botanist's Daughters (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2006 Bandidas (producer)
 
2005 Angel-A (producer)
 
2005 The Black Box (executive producer - uncredited)
 
2005 Bunker paradise (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2005 Color Me Kubrick (executive producer)
 
2005 Entre ses mains (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2005 Revolver (co-producer)
 
2005 Transporter 2 (producer)
 
2005 Au suivant! (associate producer, co-producer - uncredited)
 
2005 The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (producer)
 
2005 Imposture (producer)
 
2005 Northeast (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2005 Akoibon (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2005 Le souffleur (co-producer)
 
2005 Ze film (co-producer)
 
2005 Unleashed (producer)
 
2004 District B13 (producer)
 
2004/I Taxi (producer)
 
2004 The Story of My Life (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2004 À ton image (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2004 Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse (co-producer)
 
2003 Michel Vaillant (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2003 Cheeky (co-producer)
 
2003 Zéro un (producer)
 
2003 High Tension (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2003 Les côtelettes (producer)
 
2003 Fanfan la tulipe (producer)
 
2003 Tristan (co-producer)
 
2003 I, Cesar (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2003 Happiness Costs Nothing (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2003 Taxi 3 (producer)
 
2003 Laughter and Punishment (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2003 Ong-bak (executive producer - uncredited)
 
2002 The Transporter (producer)
 
2002 Blanche (co-producer - uncredited)
 
2002 Once Upon an Angel (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2002 Chaos and Desire (producer)
 
2001 Wasabi (producer)
 
2001 Kiss of the Dragon (producer)
 
2001 August 15th (producer)
 
2000/I Exit (associate producer - uncredited)
 
2000 The Dancer (producer)
 
2000 Taxi 2 (producer)
 
1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (co-producer)
 
1999 Cour interdite (co-executive producer)
 
1998/I Taxi (producer)
 
1997 Nil by Mouth (producer)
 
1994 Léon: The Professional (co-producer - uncredited)
 
1993 L'enfant lion (executive producer - uncredited)
 
1992 Arrête ton cinéma (short) (producer)
 
1991 Atlantis (documentary) (co-producer)
 
1991 Lune froide (producer)
 
1990 La Femme Nikita (co-producer - uncredited)
 
1990 Au coeur de Nikita (The Making of Nikita) (video documentary short) (producer)
 
1988 Jeu de vilains (short) (producer)
 
1988 The Big Blue (co-producer - uncredited)
 
1986 Kamikaze (producer)
 
1985 Subway (producer)
 
1985 The Making of 'Subway' (video documentary) (producer)
 
1984 Ne quittez pas (short) (producer)
 
1983 Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle) (producer)
 
1981 L'avant dernier (short) (producer)
 
Show ShowDirector (19 titles)
Show ShowActor (6 titles)
2010 From Paris with Love
Man getting out of car (uncredited)
 
2000 Taxi 2
Boat Owner (uncredited)
 
1988 The Big Blue
Blond Diver (uncredited)
 
1985 Subway
The Subway Driver (uncredited)
 
1984 Ne quittez pas (short)
Le pompier #2
 
1981 L'avant dernier (short)
Le monstre de la fin (uncredited)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (4 titles)
2010 From Paris with Love (presenter)
 
2003 Taxi 3 (presenter)
 
1986 Taxi Boy (technical advisor)
 
1983 Le grand carnaval (second equipment director)
 
Show ShowCamera and Electrical Department (3 titles)
2002 The Transporter (camera operator: underwater unit)
 
2002 Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra (additional camera operator)
 
1988 The Big Blue (camera operator: underwater unit)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (2 titles)
1990 La Femme Nikita (lyrics: "The Dark Side of Time" - uncredited)
 
1988 The Big Blue (lyrics: "MY LADY BLUE")
 
1981 Les bidasses aux grandes manoeuvres (assistant director)
 
1980 Deux lions au soleil (trainee assistant director)
 
Show ShowCinematographer (1 title)
1991 Atlantis (documentary)
 
Show ShowEditor (1 title)
1991 Atlantis (documentary)
 
Show ShowCasting Director (1 title)
Show ShowThanks (12 titles)
2012 Lockout (thanks)
 
2010 Babies (documentary) (thanks)
 
2007 Frontier(s) (sincere thanks)
 
2004 The Story of My Life (thanks)
 
2003 Bon voyage (thanks: from Michèle et Laurent Pétin)
 
2003 Laughter and Punishment (thanks)
 
2002 The Truth About Charlie (very special thanks)
 
2001 All About Love (thanks)
 
2001 L'art (délicat) de la séduction (thanks)
 
2000 Making of: Taxi (video documentary short) (thanks)
 
1994-1999 HBO First Look (TV series documentary) (special thanks - 2 episodes)
– The Search for the Real Joan of Arc: An Exclusive Look Beyond the Icon - 'The Messenger' (1999) (special thanks)
– The Best Man for the Job: The Making of 'The Professional' (1994) (special thanks)
 
1992 Arrête ton cinéma (short) (thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (35 titles)
2012 Janela Indiscreta (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.98 (2012) … Himself
 
2011 Ce soir (ou jamais!) (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 29 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
 
2007-2011 On n'est pas couché (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 26 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
– Episode dated 10 April 2010 (2010) … Himself
– Episode dated 30 May 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 19 May 2007 (2007) … Himself
 
2011 Avant-premières (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 23 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
 
2011 La traversée du miroir (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 20 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
 
2010-2011 Vivement dimanche prochain (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 20 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
– Episode dated 10 October 2010 (2010) … Himself
 
2011 Efter Tio (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 15 November 2011 (2011) … Himself
 
2011 The Fabulous Picture Show (TV series)
Himself
– The Queen Has No Crown (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Belmondo, itinéraire... (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2011 Cannes Film Festival 2011 (TV movie)
Himself
 
2011 Luc Besson: Cinémascope (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2006-2010 Vivement dimanche (TV series)
Himself / Himself (Interview)
– Episode dated 31 October 2010 (2010) … Himself (Interview)
– Episode dated 3 December 2006 (2006) … Himself
 
2005-2010 Le grand journal de Canal+ (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 8 April 2010 (2010) … Himself
– Episode dated 2 December 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 16 May 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 19 December 2008 (2008) … Himself
– Episode dated 18 February 2008 (2008) … Himself
See all 6 episodes »
 
2009 Cinémas (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 5 December 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 Stockholms 20th International Film Festival (TV movie)
Himself
 
2005-2009 L'hebdo cinéma (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 14 February 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 9 December 2006 (2006) … Himself
– Episode dated 18 December 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2008 Diálogos de cine (TV movie)
Himself
 
2007 Eigo de shabera-night (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 3 September 2007 (2007) … Himself
 
2007 Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 23 May 2007 (2007) … Himself
 
2006 HARDtalk Extra (TV series)
Himself
– Luc Besson (2006) … Himself
 
2005 CAUETivi (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 20 December 2005 (2005) … Himself (uncredited)
 
2002-2005 On ne peut pas plaire à tout le monde (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 11 December 2005 (2005) … Himself
– Episode dated 5 December 2004 (2004) … Himself
– Episode dated 19 September 2004 (2004) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 February 2004 (2004) … Himself
– Episode dated 31 January 2003 (2003) … Himself
See all 6 episodes »
 
2005 Cut Killer Show (documentary)
 
2003 Comme au cinéma (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 20 May 2003 (2003) … Himself
 
2001 20 heures le journal (TV series)
Himself - Interviewee
– Episode dated 16 April 2001 (2001) … Himself - Interviewee
 
2000 Making of: Taxi (video documentary short)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1999 Bouillon de culture (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Luc Besson (1999) … Himself
 
1991-1998 La nuit des Césars (TV series documentary)
Himself / Himself - César du meilleur réalisateur
– La 23ème nuit des Césars (1998) … Himself - César du meilleur réalisateur
– 16ème nuit des Césars (1991) … Himself
 
1997 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 11 June 1997 (1997) … Himself
 
1995 Déjà dimanche (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 17 December 1995 (1995) … Himself
 
1994 HBO First Look (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Best Man for the Job: The Making of 'The Professional' (1994) … Himself
 
1990 Champs-Elysées (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 31 March 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 Au coeur de Nikita (The Making of Nikita) (video documentary short)
Himself
 
1989 L'aventure du Grand Bleu (TV movie)
Himself
 
1988 Cinéma cinémas (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Repérages (1988) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)

Related Videos

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc -- The year is 1429. France is in political and religious turmoil as members of the royal family battle for the crown. But one peasant girl emerges bearing a message that wins the hearts of her countrymen and the throne for her king. From Paris with Love -- "Window" clip from From Paris with Love Taken 2 -- In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.
See all 60 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

Interview: Jacques-André Bondy with Bruce Willis, then conversation between them about movies. See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Print Biography  | 9 Interviews  | 11 Articles  | 2 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Official Sites:

LEELOO Production | See more »

Height:

5' 8" (1.73 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on his threat to retire after directing 10 films] I said if I made 10 films in my life, I would be very lucky. That's how I meant it. My fear after my first one was whether they would let me make another one, so I had this goal in my head. After six, seven films, I started to get a little tired. Shooting takes a lot out of you... See more »

Trivia:

Dated Maïwenn. She gave birth to their daughter, Shanna Besson, in 1993. See more »

Trademark:

Frequently has a shot of someone being slapped, focusing on the slapper's hand momentarily beforehand (Fifth Element, The Messenger, The Professional, La Femme Nikita) See more »

Star Sign:

Pisces