Raphaël Quenard announces “with regret” that he will ultimately not play Johnny Hallyday

One more twist in the chronicle of Johnny Hallyday biopics, already eventful. Raphaël Quenard, the new darling of French cinema, announced on his social networks that he will ultimately not play the singer in the large-scale biographical film in preparation. It should be released for the tenth anniversary of the rocker’s death, in 2027.

“It is with regret that I inform you today that I will not play Johnny in his biopic”he wrote in a story on Instagram. The 34-year-old actor believes he is not able to “devote fully to the preparation required for such a role”. “The requirements linked to the production of the film Mysterywhich I am currently co-directing, as well as promoting the film The American dream which comes out on February 18 » motivate this decision, affirms Raphaël Quenard.

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Comedy co-directed with Azedine Kasri, Mystery brings together François Cluzet and Hakim Jemili in front of the camera. As for the American dreamby Anthony Marciano, it depicts the friendship and adventures of two French agents of the American NBA, in the 1990s.

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“Johnny’s Big Biopic”

Laeticia Hallyday, sole holder of the rocker’s moral rights and very involved in the biopic, was full of praise for the actor with his particular phrasing, also the author of a novel in 2025. “I was amazed by his acting, his looks, his way of occupying space, his almost animal charisma… I said to myself that if any actor could play Johnny in the cinema, it was him”she confided.

The biopic, which is to be directed by Cédric Jimenez (BAC North, November), is worn by producer Hugo Sélignac. “The idea is to make the big biopic of Johnny”indicated in an interview with Parisian in June 2024 the producer, one of the most prominent in French cinema (phew love, Chien 51). “We will start at the end and trace the thread of his extraordinary destiny”he clarified. A unique trajectory which now awaits an actor who will know how to embody it.