In a surprising turn of events, actor Raphaël Quenard has withdrawn from the upcoming biopic about French rock icon Johnny Hallyday. The announcement, initially made on Instagram in late January, prompted questions from fans, which Quenard addressed during an appearance on the French television program Quotidien on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Quenard was set to portray the legendary rocker in a film directed by Cédric Jimenez (known for BAC Nord, Novembre, Chien 51), before ultimately stepping away from the project on January 22nd. The biopic is a highly anticipated project for fans of the late singer, who remains a cultural touchstone in France.
During his appearance on Quotidien, broadcast on TMC on February 9, 2026, Quenard explained the reasons behind his decision. The actor, who won a César Award for Most Promising Actor for his role in Chien de la casse and has since appeared in nearly fifteen films, cited a demanding schedule as the primary factor.
“Je ne pouvais pas, dans le temps imparti, avec un tournage qui commence début juin, me préparer dignement et rendre hommage à la légende napoléonienne que Johnny est,” Quenard said, as reported by Gala. (“I couldn’t, in the time available, with filming starting in early June, adequately prepare and pay tribute to the Napoleonic legend that Johnny is.”)
Unable to Commit to the Role
Quenard had previously shared his concerns with fans in a January Instagram post, explaining that he was overextended.
“Les exigences liées à la production du film Mystik, que je coréalise actuellement, ainsi que la promotion du film Le Rêve américain, qui sort le 18 février, ne me permettent pas dans les délais impartis de me consacrer pleinement à la préparation d’un tel rôle,” he wrote at the time. (“The demands related to the production of the film Mystik, which I am currently co-directing, as well as the promotion of the film Le Rêve américain, which will be released on February 18th, do not allow me, within the given timeframe, to fully dedicate myself to the preparation for such a role.”) He concluded by saying, “Je souhaite le meilleur à toute l’équipe de ce film et plus globalement une longue vie à ce projet.” (“I wish the best to the entire team of this film and, more broadly, a long life to this project.”)
On X, former Cannes Film Festival President Pierre Lescure commented that Quenard had made a “choix fort” (“strong choice”) by withdrawing from the project.
Speaking to the AFP, Lescure added that the actor’s departure did not necessarily signal the conclude of the film, which was first revealed in the summer of 2024.
“Je n’imagine pas ni Cédric (Jimenez) ni Hugo (Sélignac) abandonner ce projet. Ils ont une idée du Johnny qu’ils veulent faire et ils l’ont tellement dans la tête qu’ils n’abandonneront pas,” he stated. (“I don’t imagine either Cédric [Jimenez] or Hugo [Sélignac] abandoning this project. They have an idea of the Johnny they want to create and they have it so much in their heads that they won’t give up.”)
Who Will Replace Him?
Quenard’s withdrawal could have significant consequences for the biopic, which was scheduled to commence filming in May and last approximately 18 weeks, according to Le Parisien. The role was personally approved by Johnny Hallyday’s widow, Laeticia Hallyday. She told Paris Match that she was “scotchée” (“stuck,” or captivated) by his performance in Quentin Dupieux’s Yannick. “Je me suis dit que si un acteur pouvait incarner Johnny au cinéma, c’était lui,” she said. (“I told myself that if any actor could portray Johnny in a film, it was him.”)
The question now turns to finding a replacement. According to the French daily Le Parisien, actor Benjamin Voisin, 29, is being considered for the role, though this information has not been confirmed by the film’s production team. The search for a new lead adds another layer of anticipation to a project already steeped in the legacy of a French music icon.
