Casablanca — Popular Franco-Belgian comic series Spirou and Fantasio will make make its cinematic debut, with filming set to begin on January 16 in Morocco.
The series, which has been running since 1938, will be the basis of a long awaited film produced by France’s Moana Films and directed by Alexandre Coffre. The story of Spirou and Fantasio revolves around two adventurous journalists. Spirou, the main character, is an investigative reporter and Fantasio, his best friend is another hot-tempered reporter. Along with several other characters, including Spip and Gaston Lagaffe, the narrative of this long-running comic series has been able to attract readers for nearly 80 years.
The movie adaptation of the series, says the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM), will be filmed in Marrakech, El Hao, Ouarzazate, Tafilalet, Merzouga, Errachidia, Erfoud and Zagora.
A few rumors have been circulating as to which actors would be featured in the film, but according to AlloCiné, actors Alex Lutz, Thomas Solivérès, Ramzy, Christian Clavier and Géraldine Nakache are likely to be featured.
Solivérès, who many think will play the role of Spirou, hinted he would be a part of the project by tweeting the following on Tuesday:
Adieu cheveux longs…!
Tournage J-13#Roux pic.twitter.com/biTMUt2PKC— Thomas Solivérès (@thomassoliveres) January 3, 2017
Morocco has consistently attracted foreign filmmakers over the last several years, especially given tensions spreading across the rest of the Arab world and the Middle East.
The country, and Ouarzazate in particular, has been a filmmaking hub for producers around the world looking for a well-equipped, comfortable and hospitable environment to shoot in, which is likely what brings the Spirou and Fantasio production to Morocco.
