A series that will delight young and old during the holidays! Tenth audiovisual adaptation of the mythical work of 1872, the series Around the world in 80 days, launched this Monday on France 2 and co-produced for the European Alliance, features the excellent David Tennant (Doctor who, Broadchurch) in the skin of the gentleman Phileas Fogg, alongside the Frenchman Ibrahim Koma in the role of his faithful servant, Jean Passepartout. This is a modernized version of Jules Verne’s masterpiece. Explanations.
It all started five years ago at a bookstore. “We were looking for great stories with breath. Around the world in eighty days imposed himself, ”recalls producer Simon Crawford Collins, who 20 minutes met at the Canneséries festival. In the midst of the migrant crisis, as the United Kingdom is torn apart over Brexit and Trump is elected in the United States, “we had the impression that walls were being built all over the world,” he explains. he. Adapting Jules Verne’s novel seemed “really timely, and even before having heard of the Covid.” “An opportunity to show the world, other peoples and cultures,” adds the writer, producer and co-creator of the series with Caleb Ranson, Ashley Pharoah.
“Authentic characters with flaws”
The series pays homage to great adventure films, as we see too little of them, like a Indiana Jones or some Nile diamonds. “It’s a bit out of fashion, but I think that after the Covid crisis, that the world needs adventures, especially if they have a heart and little cynicism,” said the creator. “Often everything revolves around the action, and not enough around the emotion. Ashley has found a way to mix the action with authentic characters, with loopholes, ”considers the producer.
This adaptation takes liberties while respecting the spirit of the original work. “I think making Phileas Fogg a wounded anti-hero, a little naive, almost childish, is a modern idea. He goes to the same club every day, he eats the same thing and he sees the same people… And a little postcard will change all that, ”says the screenwriter. Passepartout is the complete opposite. “He is a man who never arises, who is afraid of falling in love, afraid of settling down,” he continues.
If the role of Phileas Fogg was not written especially for David Tennant, the actor quickly established himself as the only one capable of perfectly embodying this gentleman. “We had to understand the traumas they hide. We had to find someone who could be funny, and have that depth. We thought, ‘David Tennant would be perfect for that’ ”.
“We wanted a strong female character”
No detective Fix in this version but an intrepid journalist, played by the German Leonie Benesch. “Abigail Fix is our invention. We wanted a strong female character. As a reporter, she somewhat represents the public. When Phileas Fogg is rude to his hosts in India, she puts him back and reminds him of good manners. Putting forward your feminism serves us, both as a theme, but also to bring humor as when she balances “a woman needs a man as much as a fish needs a bicycle” “, slips the creator.
The humor plays the card of the clash of cultures, in particular between the British Phileas Fogg and the French Jean Passepartout, on the other hand, there is no question of mocking other cultures. “Colonialism is a hot topic. There you have it, an English aristocrat who goes around the world. So we had to find a sense of humor to allow for a counterpoint. We don’t laugh at the people he meets, but we laugh at his embarrassing reaction, ”Ashley Pharoah analyzes.
And to add: “David Tennant himself brings a lot of humor, because he is hyperprecise. He perfectly understood all the nuances. It is the writers’ dream to have an actor who contributes much more than what is on the screenplay. “” Ibrahim and Leonie are much less experienced than David. He served as an extraordinary role model for them to follow, each time adding a little extra touch. They both turned out to be brilliant and professional, ”says Simon Crawford Collins. The alchemy of the trio on the screen is such that a season 2 has already been ordered!