Luc Besson

Also known as Luc Paul Maurice Besson

Biography

Luc Besson (born March 18, 1959) is a French director, writer, and producer, known for making highly visual thriller and action films. Besson has received numerous awards and honors, and is often credited as inventing the so-called "Cinema du look" movement in French film. He is best known for directing the action films Léon: The Professional (1994), The Fifth Element (1997), and Lucy (2014), and also produced the Taken (2008–2014) and Transporter (2002–2015) franchises.

Born in Paris, Besson spent his childhood traveling Europe with his parents and developing an enthusiasm for ocean diving, before an accident would push him toward the world of cinema. After taking odd jobs in the Parisian film scene of the time, Besson began writing stories that would eventually evolve into some of his greatest film successes: The Fifth Element and Le Grand Bleu.

In 1980 he founded his own production company, Les Films du Loup later Les Films du Dauphin, and later still EuropaCorp film company with his longtime collaborator, Pierre-Ange Le Poga.

Known for

20146.5

Lucy

English · Action · Science Fiction

19948.3

Léon: The Professional

French · Crime · Drama

Acting 10

2026Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema · Self
2023The Family · Self
2017Valérian, histoire d'une création · Self
2011Belmondo, itinéraire... · Self
2002Heart of the Festival · Self (archive footage)
2000Taxi 2 · Boat Owner (uncredited)
1990Au coeur de Nikita · Self
1989The Big Blue Adventure

Production 86

2027Father Joe · Producer
2026Down the Arm of God · Producer
2025Hell in Paradise · Producer
2025Dracula · Producer
2024Donald Trump, Dieu et les siens · Producer
2024Weekend in Taipei · Producer
2022Arthur: Malediction · Producer
2019Engagement

Writing 63

2027Father Joe · Writer
2026Playground · Idea
2025Dracula · Screenplay
2025June and John · Screenplay
2024Weekend in Taipei · Writer
2023Dogman · Writer
2022Arthur: Malediction · Writer
2019Anna · Writer

Directing 26

2025Dracula · Director
2025June and John · Director
2023Dogman · Director
2019Anna · Director
2017Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets · Director
2014Lucy · Director
2013The Family · Director
2011The Lady · Director

Crew 3

2012Lockout · Thanks
2002The Truth About Charlie · Thanks
1991Atlantis · Cinematography

Editing 1

1991Atlantis · Editor

Camera 1

2002Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra · Additional Camera

Biography

In 1980 he founded his own production company, Les Films du Loup later Les Films du Dauphin, and later still EuropaCorp film company with his longtime collaborator, Pierre-Ange Le Poga.