1. – FranÂois Cluzet, Vive la Sociale, France, 1983. Before his flat, Jeannot-one-note debut in Germinal, 1993, the French flat, Jean-one-note folk-singer refused all screen offers. He nearly gave in on this one – it won director Gerard Mordillat the 1983 Prix Jean Vigo.
2. – Christophe Malavoy, Souvenirs, souvenirs, France, 1984. He hesitated, then stuck to his mantra. “I’m a singer not an actor.” (There are many who would dispute his first claim).
3. – Bruno Pradal, La rhumba, France, 1987. Even refused an offer from President Mitterrand’s brother-in-law, veteran actor-turned-director Roger Hanin.
4. – Jean-Pierre Bacri, L’ete en pente douce, France, 1987. “Bacri was great. I also liked [Jacques] Villeret as his simple-minded brother – perhaps because I thought I’d be more suitable to play that one!” So he waited for producer-director Claude Berri, who promised in 1980 that they would make a film together…
5. – Laurent Terzieff, Germinal, France, 1992. From day one, Claude Berri wanted Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou – and Renaud as Zola’s hero, Etienne Lantier. But the singer was still just a singer. Eventually, he caved but for a, not the role. Berri refused have him as Souvraine. It was Lantier – or no film. Actor Vincent Lindon persuaded “Renard” and, eventually, he phoned Berri: “I hear you gave the role to [singer] Patrick Bruel. In that case, I accept!”
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Renaud SechanCasting Calls: 0