Director on Gaspard Ulliel

“Even if the script has changed a lot, we knew that if the character of Anton Mogart had to be played by a Frenchman, our choice would be Gaspard. He had the physique, but also certain skills like knowing how to ride a horse. [The two men met in 2011 during the Mediterranean Film Festival in Montpellier. The Egyptian filmmaker presented his film Cairo 678 there] He loved it. We spoke at that time and I knew I wanted to work with him. I always thought he had everything Hollywood needed. Charisma but also talent. He had such an approach that it felt like it was his first time filming. It was an honor to have him on set. I was one of the only people to know how well known he was in France. I told him at the time of filming that I was convinced that the public would like to see him again in other projects. You never know what Marvel wants to do. But if I was allowed to do other things on this universe, Gaspard would certainly have been part of it. I even already had things in mind.”

“We met in 2011 at the Montpellier festival. It was the very first screening in France of my film Cairo 678. The screening ended with a standing ovation. Gaspard was in the room, he loved it and we talked. When I saw Mogart's character, I reached out to him and offered him the part. I always felt he had everything Hollywood needed. He had the physique, he had the talent, he was fit, he rode horses and he did extreme stuff. He was perfect for Moon Knight. I was one of the only ones to know how much he meant in French cinema. I was stunned by his humility and down-to-earth side. It looked like his very first day on a set. I said to him: 'I am sure that the fans and the studio will want to see you again'.”

“I met Gaspard 10 years ago. We talked, and I always felt like he was Hollywood material. He had everything — he had the looks and talent. When I got this job and we had his character, Anton Mogart, I contacted him and at once he wanted to be in it. Although he is a legend in France, on the Moon Knight set he was so humble that it felt like he was acting for the first time. He did such a great job that I felt like he was going to get called back one day by Marvel… it's such a loss. I can't even believe that we're talking about him in past tense because he was full of life. He was beautiful as a person and the only positive thing from everything that happened is that he’s going to live through his films as a legend forever.”