Luc Besson Net Worth

Luc Besson: Net Worth, Career, and Personal Life

What is Luc Besson’s Net Worth?

Luc Besson, the celebrated French film director, producer, and screenwriter, has amassed a net worth of $100 million. This figure reflects his prolific career and success in the film industry, where he’s not only directed but also significantly contributed to the writing and production of numerous films.

Besson’s impact extends beyond mere financial success; he has garnered considerable critical acclaim, evidenced by the numerous awards and nominations he has received throughout his career. His most notable works, including “The Fifth Element,” “The Big Blue,” “La Femme Nikita,” “Subway,” “The Professional,” “Lucy,” and the “Taken” franchise, have cemented his place as a major figure in world cinema.

Early Life and Influences

Luc Besson’s journey began on March 18, 1959, in Paris, France. His upbringing played a significant role in shaping his creative vision. Both of his parents worked as scuba-diving instructors at Club Med resorts, immersing him in a lifestyle that sparked his initial interest in marine biology.

His early childhood was spent traveling with his parents to various tourist destinations in Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia. However, at the age of ten, his family returned to France, and his parents divorced shortly thereafter. This pivotal event led to the formation of two separate families, a situation that left young Besson feeling somewhat uncertain about his place within them.

A significant turning point came at seventeen when Besson’s passion for marine biology was cut short by a scuba diving accident that left him unable to pursue his initial career goal. It was this pivotal moment that redirected his focus towards his other interests, namely writing and photography, ultimately leading him to consider a career in film. After a day on the set of a short film, he realized his true calling was to create films.

Career Beginnings

Even during his teenage years, Besson was already laying the groundwork for his future in the film industry. He began making short films and working on drafts for projects that would later become his most famous works, like “The Big Blue” and “The Fifth Element.” At eighteen, he returned to Paris, where he started exploring the film industry to understand its inner workings. He held various roles, including assisting directors like Claude Faraldo and Patrick Grandperret.

His early work included several short films, commercials, and a commissioned documentary. These initial projects allowed him to accumulate enough capital to move to the United States. There, he stayed for three years before returning to Paris with the goal of starting his own production company, “Les Films du Dauphin.”

Rise to Fame: Iconic Films

Besson’s big break came with “Subway” in 1985, a movie that set the stage for his later successes. “The Big Blue” followed in 1988, becoming a major hit that captivated audiences worldwide. He further solidified his reputation with “Leon: The Professional” in 1994 and “The Fifth Element” in 1997. These films gained a cult following, solidifying Besson’s reputation as an innovative filmmaker.

“The Fifth Element” was particularly notable for its all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, Tommy Lister and Gary Oldman.

Cinema du Look and Besson’s Style

Besson’s early films, particularly “Subway” and “La Femme Nikita,” were key examples of the “cinema du look” movement, a highly stylized approach to filmmaking that emphasized visual spectacle over narrative depth. This movement, prominent from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, was characterized by its emphasis on style and striking visuals.

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Besson’s films within this style often prioritized aesthetics, visual appeal, and the creation of a particular mood over the intricacies of plot. This approach set him apart and contributed significantly to his unique cinematic identity.

Action Film Success and Franchises

Besson’s cinematic direction shifted in the late 1990s and into the 2000s, as he began to focus on action films. This shift led to major commercial successes, including the “Taxi” series and “The Transporter” series. He also played a key role in films starring Jet Li, such as “Kiss of the Dragon” and “Unleashed.”

Besson achieved remarkable success with the “Taken” franchise, starring Liam Neeson. “Taken 2” stands out as the largest-grossing French export film, highlighting the global appeal and financial success of his work in this genre.

Literary Ventures and Adaptations

Besson expanded his creative horizons into the realm of literature, with the creation of the Arthur series. These fantasy novels for children gained popularity in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Subsequently, he adapted his books into feature films, serving as both the writer, producer, and director.

The Arthur series’ success extended beyond literature and film, as it was also transformed into a video game, thereby demonstrating Besson’s ability to reach and captivate audiences across multiple platforms.

Awards and Accolades

Besson’s contributions to the film industry have been recognized through numerous awards. He received the Brussels International Festival of Film Critics Prize, a Cesar Award, and the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Silver Award in the Best Director of a Foreign Film category. He has been called the “most Hollywood of French filmmakers” by critics.

As a writer, director, and producer, Besson has been involved in creating over 50 films. His influence is undeniable, and his contributions have helped shape modern cinema.

Personal Life and Relationships

Besson’s personal life includes several notable relationships. In 1986, he married actress Anne Parillaud, who starred in “La Femme Nikita.” They had a daughter named Juliette in 1987, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1991.

He began dating his second wife, Maiwenn Le Besco, when she was only fifteen years old. They married in 1992 and had a daughter, Shanna, in 1993. Le Besco claimed that the relationship influenced the film “Leon,” which tells the story of the relationship between a man and a 12-year-old girl.

Their marriage ended in 1997 when Besson became involved with actress Milla Jovovich during the filming of “The Fifth Element.” They married in 1997 and divorced in 1999. In August 2004, Besson married film producer Virginie Silla, and they have three children together: Thalia, Sateen, and Mao Besson.

Controversies

Besson has faced controversies since 2018, with multiple actresses accusing him of rape. Five women have made similar accusations, including former employees. Besson has denied these allegations.

In 2019, the case against him was dropped because of a lack of evidence. In 2021, a judge dismissed the case again after it had been reopened.

Real Estate Ventures

In January 2016, Luc Besson invested $12.2 million in Charlton Heston’s former estate in the mountains above Beverly Hills. The property covers nearly 3 acres and features a 14,600 square-foot mansion, which Besson renovated extensively. He listed the home for sale in February 2020, with an asking price of $14.9 million.

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