This isn’t Heidi and Peter, but Heidi (Elena Flury) and Daneli (Luca Hänni).bild: dcm
Interview
The singer stars in the film adaptation of the hit musical. Here, he tells us… quite a lot.
February 12, 2026, 7:27 PMFebruary 12, 2026, 7:27 PM
thomas studer / ch media
Luca Hänni, do you believe in eternal love?
Luca Hänni: It’s a very romantic idea. I do believe that eternal love exists, but you have to remember that love is also something you work at.
Do you think eternal love is desirable, as the song says?
Yes. Having someone by your side who completely understands you, who is loyal, who gives you freedom – I think that’s desirable.
Doesn’t eternity also have something burdensome about it? Many things are precious precisely because they pass.
That’s true. Eternal is, of course, quite a long time. I don’t even want to live forever.
But to love eternally?
To love eternally, yes – as long as life lasts. Love is essential to being happy. But you can also love things other than people. An adventure, or a plane, or a building. What’s that called again?
Objectophilia?
Exactly.
“Ewigi Liebi” is also your debut as a film actor. The music, the shows, the hosting gigs you’ve already done – weren’t those enough?
I’m usually open to new things. And when the request came, I wanted to try it out.
The musical is now a film
Almost 20 years after the premiere of “Ewigi Liebi,” the most successful Swiss musical alongside “The Little Niederdorf Opera,” the film adaptation is being released. The basic structure of the story remains the same: Heidi (Elena Flury) and Daneli (Luca Hänni) from the Emmental region were once a couple, but an intrigue by rival Ferdinand drove them apart. Thirty years later, the two meet again and have the opportunity to change the past to their advantage. The Swiss hits that were central to the musical play a smaller role in the film. Instead, some newer songs have been added because director Pierre Monnard (“Hello Betty”) has shifted the plot to the present and the nineties. Those who can overlook the intrusive Swissness (Emmental, Lindor, Rivella) and the rough dialogue can have fun with the cheerful film. (ts)
So, there wasn’t any thought of diversifying your portfolio in case your other commitments don’t go so well?
I’ve been spreading things out for a long time. I do music, television, hosting, shows. Basically everything that has to do with entertainment. That seems smarter to me.
It’s paid off. “Bilanz” counted you among the 100 richest Swiss people under 40 last year.
That’s right, I read that.
You didn’t know?
Oh.
Suspect?
Exactly, suspected. No, you don’t actually talk about money. But it’s fun when it works financially. After all, I have a family now and I’m not 20 anymore.
How did the film role come about?
Three years ago, I received an email from the production company saying they were planning the film and would like me to play the role of the young Daneli. That’s when I thought, why not? At that point, I had no experience with acting.
So, you didn’t have to apply for the role, you got it because you’re Luca Hänni?
Yes, probably. But in retrospect, I think it was a good fit. I think I bring sympathy to the role, make it accessible, and that’s what Daneli should be.
Luca Hänni with director Pierre Monnard.bild: dcm
You haven’t seen the musical “Ewigi Liebi.” Did you have any role models for the role?
Not really. I read the script and recognized a few things in Daneli and knew I could apply them. The rest, maybe 60 percent, I had to work on, and Pierre (Monnard, the director) gave me a lot of tips.
What did you recognize in the character of Daneli?
He’s nice and doesn’t want to offend anyone, wants to please everyone. I see that in myself too.
That matches your image as a Sunnyboy.
That’s true. But that wasn’t the intention, it’s just my nature.
How did you prepare for acting?
I was told to read the script ten times. But I choked on that. Reading isn’t my strong suit, I have ADHD.
How many times did you read it?
Six times. Skimmed it. But the most important thing was to sit down with the director to get into Daneli’s perspective. That was worth more than reading the script five more times.
Which of the Swiss hits that you sing in the film is your favorite?
Ah, “Ewigi Liebi” was nice. But I almost preferred “Alperose.”
Does it bother you that you haven’t had a Swiss-German hit of that magnitude in your portfolio yet?
You can’t do everything. I mainly sing in English and have been singing in German for a few years now. If Swiss German were to be added now, it might be a bit much.
But are you getting a taste for it?
With English, you can go in a poppier direction. But in Swiss German, it’s so authentic. So, who knows, maybe Swiss German will come along. Then I’ll grow a dialect rocker at 40.
You have the right dialect.
That’s right.
Luca Hänni, Superstar
Luca Hänni was a 17-year-old bricklayer’s apprentice from Uetendorf BE when he won the casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” (DSDS) in 2012. After winning, he dropped out of his apprenticeship and launched a career as a pop singer. He participated in further dance and music shows and represented Switzerland at the ESC in 2019, finishing fourth. He now also works as a host and runs the podcast “Don’t worry be Hänni” with his wife Christina Hänni. His latest single is “These Walls.” (ts)
Hänni plays «Bandprobe» in the film.bild: dcm
In the film, the middle-aged Daneli travels back in time to the nineties to his younger self, played by you, to change the past. Would you like to travel back in time yourself?
I’d be afraid of messing everything up. If you change one small thing, everything gets messed up afterwards. So, better not. Be content with what works. I’m not a gambler.
In a way, the role is also a journey back in time for you. You are 31 today, the Daneli you play is around ten years younger. Do you miss 2016?
I somehow missed my youth. Since I was 16, I’ve been making music and have subordinated almost everything to the job. That’s why I sometimes think it would be nice to have less responsibility again. But everything is wonderful as We see. I have a family, I’m in the middle of life. And through the film role, I was able to be a little youthful again.
You became known as a teen star and said a few years ago that it was important to you to “bridge the gap from teen to man.” Isn’t it a step backwards when your first film role shows you as a young man with smooth cheeks?
Damn, that’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of that. I would see acting as an extension.
And not as a cementing of an image?
everything probably contributes to the Luca Hänni brand. But I didn’t think too much about it. I just thought it was cool to be in a film. And I don’t think it’s so bad that I can shave off my beard and look like I did in 2020 again.
There’s a sex scene in the film, before which you said you were “scared.” Was that the most difficult scene?
Funny enough, no. You don’t see much, just a quick glimpse of my bare butt through the window. It was more amusing. I really wasn’t wearing anything. You had to tape stuff up, the car had to shake. I had to concentrate on it in a funny way so that I still took it seriously.
Susanne Kunz and Pasquale Aleardi as the adult Heidi and Daneli.Bild: dcm
What was the most difficult scene? I have a suspicion.
Difficult was it to get out of the car after the sex scene, where Heidi catches me cheating. Then to convey that seriousness, that ugliness, that sadness – I didn’t find that so easy. Playing in love is easier. Which scene did you think was the most difficult?
The one where your character argues with his friend Ferdinand because he made a move on Daneli’s flame, Heidi. You had to throw something at Ferdinand’s head like “you damned fool, you.” That didn’t come easily to your lips.
That’s right.
Is it true that you’ve developed a taste for acting?
Yes. I hope that what I do in the film will be seen and appreciated by some directors and directoresses. Maybe there will be another role that suits me.
What kind of roles are you thinking of?
Probably not a villain. Actually, it could be any role. But somewhere, I am Luca Hänni.
Justin Timberlake, your big idol, has also done action films.
Oh, action would be cool. Are there any Swiss action films?
“Tschugger” had some action in it.
That’s right. Something like that would be cool. A little action. There could still be a flute in it, for the music.
“Ewigi Liebi” opens in cinemas on February 12.
