How a rejected script became France's most successful high-speed action comedy franchise
In short: When Luc Besson pitched his idea for a film about a reckless Marseille taxi driver, his usual studio turned him down. Undeterred, he bet on unknown actors and a director who had not helmed a feature in 15 years. The result was a cultural phenomenon that redefined French action cinema.
In 1996, Luc Besson conceived the story of Daniel Morales, a former pizza delivery man turned taxi driver who navigates Marseille in a modified 1997 Peugeot 406. Despite his vision, his primary production partner, Gaumont, lacked confidence in the project. Besson eventually partnered with the small company ARP to produce the film, selecting Gérard Pirès as director. Pirès, who had spent 15 years away from feature filmmaking, was chosen largely for his extensive experience directing commercials for Peugeot, a skill set that proved vital for the film's high-octane sequences.
The production faced significant constraints, leading to the choice of Marseille as a location and the casting of relative unknowns like Samy Naceri and Marion Cotillard. Financiers were persuaded by the argument that these actors would resonate more with younger audiences. This gamble paid off spectacularly. Upon its 1998 release, the film became a massive success, securing 6.4 million admissions in France and earning $39.3 million, making it the fourth most successful film in the country that year. It also found an audience abroad, drawing an additional 2.2 million admissions.
Beyond the box office, the film's legacy is tied to the evolution of Besson’s career. Scholars note that the series marks his transition from director to a producer of high-budget spectacles, reflecting a shift in how he utilized urban landscapes as film-related investments. While critics like Almar Haflidason noted the script's shortcomings, the film’s kinetic energy and iconic soundtrack—based on the Eastern Mediterranean song Misirlou—cemented its status as a staple of French pop culture. The franchise eventually expanded to include four sequels, an American remake, and a television series, proving that a project once deemed too risky by major studios could anchor a multi-decade cinematic empire.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Taxi (1998 film)
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