In the comedy “Retirement Home”, broadcast this Monday evening on TF1, the character of Lino Vartan is played by Gérard Depardieu. But did you know that originally, it was another big name in French cinema who was to play the role?
Released in theaters in 2022, the comedy Retirement Home tells the story of Milann (Kev Adams), 30, who, in order to avoid prison, is forced to carry out 300 hours of community service in a retirement home. An establishment in which we find Daniel Prévost, Firmine Richard and a certain Gérard Depardieu. On the occasion of the broadcast of the film, this Monday, on TF1, we reveal which cinema legend came very close to appearing in the credits!
Originally, Retirement Home, which attracted more than 2 million spectators in theaters, should not have seen Gérard Depardieu play the character of Lino Vartan. In fact, the role was first offered to… Jean-Paul Belmondo! Quite logical in the end, because the character is a former boxer, just like the legendary actor who died in 2021. Unfortunately, “Bebel” had to decline the offer due to his state of health.
Unable to bring Belmondo within the walls of this retirement home, Kev Adams then turned to Gérard Depardieu, whom he had met on the set of Alad’2. “Within three weeks we called him, he received the script, read it and he said yes”declares the actor. “When talking to him about the film, I understood that he had immediately perceived the theme of transmission behind laughter.”
A sequel without Depardieu and a series
Two years after Retirement Home, a sequel was released, simply titled Retirement Home 2 and without Gérard Depardieu in the credits (besides, why isn’t he in this sequel?, spoiler alert!). A Retirement Home series was even launched on TF1 a few days ago!
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The trailer for the “Retirement Home” series:
