Broadcast on TF1 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 9:10 PM, Lucy is an action and science fiction film written, produced, and directed by Luc Besson. Released in theaters in summer 2014, this blockbuster starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, and Choi Min-sik exemplifies the French filmmaker’s signature style—combining thrill, futuristic themes, and spectacular visual effects with a sense of adrenaline and grandeur.
Lucy is a young student living in Taipei whose life takes a dramatic turn when she is coerced into smuggling drugs. Following an incident, an experimental substance is released into her body. Her mental faculties begin to expand at an extraordinary rate, gradually altering her perception of the world, matter, and time itself.
As this uncontrollable transformation unfolds, Lucy develops extraordinary physical and mental abilities that draw the attention of both criminals and scientists. While she struggles to understand what is happening to her, the film becomes a high-stakes race against time, where the question of the limits of the human brain takes center stage, blending scientific curiosity with pure entertainment.
Initially, the lead role of Lucy was intended for Angelina Jolie before ultimately going to Scarlett Johansson. The film represents a significant milestone in the actress’s international career, already known for her action-packed roles. On the production side, EuropaCorp announced as early as 2013 that it was their most expensive project to date, though the official budget remained undisclosed.
The filming primarily takes place in France, at the Cité du Cinéma in Seine-Saint-Denis, but also in Étretat and Lozère, before moving on to Taipei. This segment of shooting has been heavily covered by the media, to the point where the cast and crew briefly considered halting production due to relentless paparazzi, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Highly ambitious on a technical level, Lucy features over 1,000 special effects shots. Luc Besson collaborates with top-tier companies like ILM, under the supervision of Nicholas Brooks. The sound design is handled by teams including those from Skywalker Sound. Additionally, the film is supported by a comprehensive viral marketing campaign centered on human brain capabilities, launched in spring 2014.
Debuting as the opening film at the Locarno Film Festival in 2014, Lucy achieved strong international box office success, notably setting a new record for a Luc Besson film in China during its opening weekend. Rated R in the United States, the film's intense violence and striking visuals clearly target teen and adult audiences alike.
Lucy
Movie | 2014
In theaters from August 6, 2014
TV broadcast: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM on TF1
Action, science fiction | Runtime: 1h29
Directed by Luc Besson | Starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik
Original title: Lucy
Country: France
With Lucy, Luc Besson continues his fascination with strong female protagonists and futuristic worlds, following in the footsteps of Nikita and The Fifth Element. The film adopts a boldly spectacular approach to science fiction, where themes of human evolution mainly serve a fast-paced, visually striking story.
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