Why is The Count of Monte Cristo released on a Friday?

“It’s too extraordinary to release it on the same day as another film,” laughs Pierre Niney in all modesty.

The new adaptation of the novel by Alexandre Dumas by the pair Alexander of La Patellière And Matthew Delaporte (screenwriters of the Three Musketeers), with Pierre Niney in the lead role is released this Friday and not last Wednesday as was the case for other feature films such as Kinds of Kindness by Yorgos Lanthimos. If since 1937 and a decision by Pathé films have been released in France on Wednesdays, how can we explain that the count of Monte Cristo don’t do like the others? Marketing decision or pure egocentrism?

For the actor lending his features to Edmond Dantès, the reason is obvious: an exceptional film, an exceptional date. According to Allocinatedhe would have declared with humor (or not?):

“The film is too extraordinary to release it on the same day as another film.”

Behind the joke hides a real, purely economic reason. Last January, Pathé announced the release of the film six months before the initial date scheduled for December 11. Set for June 28, it already seemed obvious to us that this decision was marketing because the count of Monte Cristo would be released a few days before the Cinema Festival taking place from June 30 to July 3.

Bingo! By being offered this Friday, Pathé hopes that the single price capped at 5 euros per seat will bring spectators massively into the dark rooms to watch their great show on a giant screen. Invited on the set of Daily At the beginning of the week, Pierre Niney confirmed this choice:

“There are several reasons for this. The first is that the Fête du cinéma is coming up this Sunday. People will be able to enjoy it for 5 euros and this could allow us to reach an even wider audience and launch this adventure.”

If cinema attendance in May 2024 is slightly higher than in May 2023 according to CNC figures, since the start of the year, the French seem less inclined to go to the cinema. But with an attractive price and poster during the Fête du Cinéma, could the trend be reversed? Not sure, depending 20 minuteswhich recalls that a similar operation was carried out last year with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinywithout any real success.

Presented at the Cannes Film Festival this year, out of competition, the count of Monte Cristo is intended to be a grandiose reinterpretation carried by a passionate cast: Anamaria Vartolomei, Anaïs Demoustier, Pierfrancesco Favino and Laurent Lafitte accompany Pierre Niney in this modernized and well-oiled epic. Prototype of our comic book superheroes, Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney) finds himself betrayed in his youth and locked up for a crime he did not commit. Managing to escape, the director orchestrates his revenge and becomes the Count of Monte Cristo.

Première highly recommends it, and here is its trailer:

The Count of Monte Cristo: Pierre Niney Imperial as Angel of Vengeance (review)