Photo Credit: Studiocanal
Studiocanal is aggressively striving to be a leading international TV producer of English-language high-end series. Under the guidance of M-K Kennedy, the French media giant is leveraging its extensive library of films and TV shows to create action-based, outward-looking series. Following the success of Paris Has Fallen, the firm is now aggressively pursuing Apollo Has Fallen, an international thriller based on high-stakes.
Has Fallen franchise, which first featured Gerard Butler in box office successes like Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, and Angel Has Fallen, made the jump to the small screen with Paris Has Fallen. Canal+ France series that premiered in September 2024 features eight episodes and follows ex-close protection man Vincent Taleb (Tewfik Jallab) and MI6 agent Zara Taylor (Ritu Arya), who attempt to foil a terrorist conspiracy in Paris. The show was an instant hit, breaking ratings on Canal+ and gaining momentum on platforms such as Amazon UK and Hulu in America. Its action-packed storytelling and rapport between the lead cast members made it a popular choice from day one. Studiocanal is doubling down now with Apollo Has Fallen, further expanding the franchise.
As opposed to Paris Has Fallen, which had a static environment, Apollo Has Fallen will take audiences on an around-the-world journey, with action set pieces along the coast of Libya, through the streets of Madrid, and on a host of other locations worldwide. The movie production is being handled by Studiocanal in partnership with Urban Myth Films, Millennium Media, and G-Base, offering high-quality production value and global distribution. Returning cast members Ritu Arya and Tewfik Jallab will be joined by a new ensemble cast, including Jacek Koman (Conclave), Richard Dormer (The Day of the Jackal), Charlotte Spencer (The Gold), and Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who). Creator Howard Overman (Misfits, War of the Worlds) is once again in charge, with David Caffrey (The Gentlemen) and Alice Troughton (Baghdad Central) on directing duties.
Kennedy, a young import from Netflix, has ambitions beyond Has Fallen. She’d like to produce more English-language programming to establish Studiocanal as a global player. The company is also diversifying into book adaptations with its new Studiocanal Stories label. Swept Away, the upcoming novel by bestselling writer Beth O’Leary, is the first major project under this brand and is aimed at female audiences.
Kennedy sees this diversification as a necessity. While Paris Has Fallen and Apollo Has Fallen are for action-thriller fans, Studiocanal is trying to balance out its slate with more female-focused stories. She acknowledges that much of the company’s past success has been in male-skewing genres and wants to “bring some girl energy” to its slate.
Studiocanal is positioning itself as a force to be reckoned with in the international television space. With over 19 European production brands and a big library of IP, the group is capable of producing original and franchise-based content for worldwide consumers. Kennedy’s aspiration for the next two years is clear: to make Studiocanal into a big television studio with worldwide appeal. Through the creation of high-budget, big-scale movies like Apollo Has Fallen and targeted retranslations of top-selling books, Studiocanal is well set to reach further than Europe and into the international marketplace in general. With Paris Has Fallen proving a success, it is very probable that the company’s objectives are within easy reach.
