Netflix Plots Sequel to French Hit ‘Under Paris’ with Bérénice Bejo

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As a gamer who has seen his fair share of shark movies from all corners of the globe, I can confidently say that ‘Under Paris’ has undeniably made a splash. The original film, with its unique blend of satire, horror, and political commentary, was a refreshing take on the genre that caught me off guard in the best possible way.

Despite ending on what appears to be a conclusive note, the French shark thriller ‘Under Paris’ has opened up possibilities for a follow-up. As reported by Variety, director Xavier Gens is once again brainstorming ideas, inspired by the film’s remarkable success. It broke records as Netflix’s most popular non-English language movie, garnering over 102.3 million views.

In just over four years from now, I can’t wait to step back into the gaming world once more! It looks like the upcoming film, slated for production starting as early as September 2025, is planning to reassemble some of our beloved cast members. Can’t wait to see who will join them on this new adventure!

In a new turn of events, Bérénice Bejo, famously recognized for her Oscar-nominated performance in ‘The Artist’, steps back into the limelight as a sorrowful activist. Meanwhile, Nassim Lyes, previously seen in ‘Mayhem!’, is set to reprise his character as a police officer once more.

Recently, Bejo expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the cold depths of the Parisian subterranean scene during an interview with La Tribune.

The start of filming may be delayed, potentially extending into 2026, but the excitement is already palpable. ‘Under Paris’ first piqued audiences’ interest due to its biting satire and strategic timing ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The piece blended a sharp critique of political machinations with the chilling image of athletes becoming shark prey in the Seine, subtly referencing the actual-world disputes related to the event.

Xavier Gens suggested that should there be a sequel, it might delve into a flooded Paris, possibly venturing into the spooky underworld of the city’s catacombs, deepening the narrative.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve found myself facing similar challenges when it comes to financing genre projects within the French film industry. Budgets here are often tight and can pose a significant hurdle for creators like me who aim to push boundaries and deliver exceptional work.

Nevertheless, backed by Netflix, the initial release boasted a sizable budget ranging from €15-€25 million.

Based on the worldwide success of the initial movie and Stephen King, a legendary figure in horror, endorsing it by expressing that it surpassed his expectations on platform X, the upcoming sequel could potentially attract even greater financial backing.

As a film enthusiast, I initially assumed that UNDER PARIS would be a light-hearted, joke-filled flick similar to SHARKNADO. However, the persuasive buzz on Twitter convinced me to give it a chance, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The final 25 minutes were absolutely mind-blowing.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 12, 2024

In a different wording, ‘Under Paris’ ranks as the second most viewed non-English movie on Netflix, following closely behind ‘Troll’.

Regardless of divided opinions at home, its triumph overseas has firmly established it as a significant player in the shark movie genre, questioning the idea that only Hollywood or Korean studios can produce successful shark films.

With the upcoming sequel, Gens is set to dive deeper into the dark and flooded future of Paris.

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2024-11-14 20:44