One of the most popular French actors right now, the Untouchables and X-Men: Days of Future Past star was asked to pick a character he’d love to play by production company Gaumont.
“Actors don’t often get asked this question. It’s the kind of thing that rarely happens,” he said in an interview with Netflix Queue.
“But it didn’t take me long to come up with Arsène Lupin. He’s the perfect character for an actor. He’s seductive and smart, he plays multiple roles, and he makes it possible to experience all kinds of adventures. If I were British, I’d have said James Bond. In France, we have Lupin!” he added.
Omar Sy Plays A Modern Lupin On New Netflix Show
Inspired by the character created in 1905 by Maurice Leblanc, Netflix’s Lupin sees Sy as Assane Diop, a professional thief and the only son of an immigrant from Senegal who had come to France to seek a better life for his child.
Twenty-five years after his father was framed for the theft of an expensive diamond necklace, Assane seeks revenge on the wealthy man who tarnished his family’s reputation.
Assane’s inspiration comes from a book about Arsène Lupin his father gave him when he was a child.
The series was created by George Kay and François Uzan and is released in two parts consisting of five episodes each.
What Sy's Outfits In 'Lupin' Says About His Character
While the novels and short stories by Leblanc are set in the early 20th century, Assane is a man living in present-day France.
“We talked at great length about the costume design with the costume department,” Sy explained.
“We were aware that the character comes with a rich iconography. We had to create something new while staying true to Lupin’s spirit. We gave him a long coat, which hints at the iconic cape,” he added.
He also said that the hat his character wears contributes giving him a distinctive French allure.
“We wanted him to wear a hat, and we picked the beret so that he might still be elegant and retain a French flavor. And to bring our modern touch we went for the Jordan 1 sneakers,” Sy said.
Lupin is streaming on Netflix