Actor recalls chance meeting with Van Damme

Gilles Lellouche, who is set to portray Jean Moulin in an upcoming film, previously worked with Jean-Claude Van Damme on the 2003 comedy Narco, co-directed with Tristan Aurouet. In a recent interview with Brut, Lellouche described how he first met Van Damme in a sauerkraut restaurant, calling the encounter "completely crazy."

Meeting led to Van Damme's role in Narco

Lellouche explained that Narco was originally written for Benoît Poelvoorde, a Belgian actor who plays a karateka in the film. Given Poelvoorde's admiration for Van Damme, Lellouche decided to include Van Damme in the film. He recounted how he and Aurouet, his childhood friend and co-director, went to the restaurant on the Champs-Elysées at around 2:30 am, where they unexpectedly found Van Damme with sunglasses and an entourage.

Lellouche hesitated but approached Van Damme

Lellouche initially hesitated to approach Van Damme but was encouraged by Aurouet. After having a couple of drinks to build courage, Lellouche approached Van Damme and explained that he had written a film in which Van Damme would have a role alongside Poelvoorde. Van Damme asked who Poelvoorde was and then provided his address in Los Angeles, which Lellouche initially thought was fictional. However, it turned out to be Van Damme's real address, and the script was sent to him.

Van Damme joined the film and was moved by the experience

Van Damme's manager contacted them, and he ultimately participated in the film. Lellouche noted that directing Van Damme was easy because he is "adorable and wants to do a great job." He mentioned that Van Damme was concerned that the film might make fun of him, given his previous public image. Lellouche reassured him that the film treated him with respect, and Van Damme was moved to tears at the end of their only day of filming.

Plot of Narco

Narco, released in 2004, follows Gustave Klopp (Guillaume Canet), a narcoleptic who experiences incredible adventures in his dreams, transforming into an invincible superhero.