Luc Besson (2017)

Are we ever going to get a sequel to Léon with Natalie Portman playing a grown Mathilda?

5th Element is my favorite movie, but I always wondered, why did Zorg not get his leg fixed?

What's the most annoying thing an actor can do when you are directing?

How was it to work with Jean Reno and Gary Oldman in "Leon"?

I took my 8 year old son to see Valerian, and we both really loved it. I was disappointed that the film didn't connect with American audiences, because I thought it was great fun.

Can you tell us what might have been in store for these characters in the sequel? Is there an ark that you had hoped to play out in the next film or films?

What do you think are the biggest differences between the French and American styles of film making?

What are your favorite Sci-Fi books?

As a filmmaker, which films would you identify as your biggest influences?

What's your favorite comic book?

Do you have any relationship/communication with Jodorowski?

I absolutely love The Fifth Element and don’t think it was stolen from him. But I love that it seemed inspired by his work.

I’d love to see you and he truly collaborate on a project someday.

I really loved the 3D used in Valerian. It was some of the best 3D I have ever seen.

Why are they not releasing a 3D Blu-Ray of the film in the US?

Additionally, what is your free diving depth record?

Good day, Luc. Any change we can get a digital release of The Big Blue with the Bill Conte score? Eric's was good, but I fell in love with the movie with Bill's music.

Hi Luc!

I'm a huge fan of your work, especially Subway, so thanks for making the film world that much more interesting. Anyways, my question is:

What are your biggest issues with the current state of the film industry?

Were there any paticular influences leading to Gary Oldman's character in Leon? Also, was his love for Beethoven just a random choice or is there more to it than that?

What movie do you wish you could re-make with your own unique spin?

We all know success takes time and talent, but how much luck do you think was involved in your success? Was there some big break that you'd like to share?

Will you work with the greatest actor of our generation Ethan Hawke again? How was it working with him on Valerian?

Any news on your next project?

Hey Luc, do you have a favourite line of dialogue that you’ve written? What is it?

Coincidentially, I've watched Le Dernier Combat last month again. Really love it. Where was such a low-budget post-apocalyptic movie filmed?

Susan Hayward argues in her book on you and your works that anit-establishment and anti capitalist themes can be read in many of your early films, specifically regarding the commodification of women in Nikita and the rejection of mainstream society by Jacques.
Do you agree with her analysis and do you subscribe to any such views/ideologies?

Will there be a sequel to Adele blanc sec?

What advice do you have for someone not in Hollywood looking to get their writing portfolio in the hands of producers or agents who can sell their work?

Any plans on working with Jean Reno and Eric Serra again?

On a scale from 1 to 10, how annoyed are you that people keep asking you a sequel to The 5th Element/Leon/Whatever movie?

What's your favorite type of shoes to wear?

Why do you think The Big Blue didnt do as well outside of France?

Luc, I haven't seen all of your work (I plan to watch Leon and Nikita soon), but I adore the Fifth Element and admire some qualities about Valerian (I think it could've been a lot better, though).

I have a few questions about Valerian, if you don't mind:

1) What inspired the Big Market scene, and the opening with Alpha's construction? Those were my favorite parts of the film, aside from Bubble's dance :)

2) What did Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre Christin think of the film? Do you know?

3) Alexandre Desplat gave the film a fantastic score. Was he your first choice, and how did you get him involved with the project?

which sci-fi films inspire jealousy in that you wish you had made them but could not do better, and which sci-fi films inspire anger in that you know you could have made them better?

Why did you decide to form your own production company and stop working with Gaumont? What have been the pros and cons of the change?

Marvel or DC?

Would you ever revisit the characters from The Fifth Element? Like in an actual sequel or a book/comic book continuation of Corbin and Leelo's story?

Have so many questions to ask so I'll make mines count

• If you had a chance will you consider doing a super hero movie? If yes what DC/Marvel character would you love to direct?

• What is your favorite horror film?

• There are a lot of Anime/Japanese and Korean Manga stories that will be great to do as a movie (example: Akira/ Ghost in a Shell). Is this something you would consider doing?

• If you were to show a friend/fan round who has never been to France or any favorite place in the world, what little known cafe, restraurant or area would you say they should check out?

Would you ever consider making a more morose style sci-fi film, perhaps similar to an expanded version of Philip K Dick's Electric Ant or I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon?

Have you watched/read The Expanse?

Any chance in getting the "The Story Of..." books released in English? I have lost the 5th Element book and my French isn't as good to read the Story of Leon (which I have in French)

Which edition of Léon do you prefer: Theatrical or International/Extended Cut?

Taxi is one of my favourite films, it seems you have a certain style for crazy multi car pile ups in your car films. When are we going to see one again?

Hey Luc, after the less enthusiastic response to the latest entry, is the transporter franchise officially dead now? Is the planned trilogy not going ahead?

Why do you think Velerian wasn’t able to bring in a wider audience? Do you think it’s because the source material wasn’t known that well to the general public?

Hi! I loved the editing decisions in Lucy - especially the idea to intercut symbolic shots of animals with the story. I was wondering what inspired that choice?

BTW, love your work! :)

What are some of your favorite films of the past few years?

Thank you for making Leon. It's one of my favorites and I saw it in the theater 4 or 5 times.

What was it like working with Jean Reno on this film?

Of all the elements, which is your favorite?

lol.

The final shot in Léon has a guitar part that leads into "Shape of my Heart" that isn't on Sting's album. Did you get Dominic Miller to record that introduction just for the movie?

Could you tell us a bit about Anna ?

Hey Luc, l love "Le Grand Bleu", Leon and Valerian.

Which one of those do you like most?

Is there any chance we'll ever revisit the world created by The Fifth Element? Not necessarily with the same heroes/villains, what kind of stories would you tell minus Dallas Korban and Leelo?

The Fifth Element and Leon are two of my favorite movies of all time. Was there ever any pressure to try to follow these movies up with sequels? To me, they are perfect movies, and stand well on their own, but in this day and age, studios want to franchise everything. Was there ever an idea for The Fifth Element 2?

Is there anything that can be done for the horror genre to make it interesting or creative?

Mr. Besson,

When making LEON, were you at all influenced by the movies of John Woo?

The Fifth Element soundtrack was dedicated to Moby Bubble Duck. Who or what was that?

We've seen a TON of new, thought provoking sci-fi in recent years. Are there any films specifically that you wish you could have directed?

Huge fan of 5th Element! Did you get to keep any props from that movie for yourself? If so, which ones?

Also, I'd kill for something signed by you! Cheers!

Thank you Luc for all of your work! Valerian pulled me from my sit and into a beautiful world!

If you could offer a piece of advice..directing/filming is a passion of mine, how can one grow, within themselves, in your opinion, as a filmmaker?

What is the next big project you are going to be working on?

What was your favorite movie to direct? Like, fun wise?

Bonjour, Luc! Im a big fan of your films, and the cast for Anna looks great so far!

Is there anyone in Hollywood that you have yet to work with that you would be excited to collaborate with?