Eric Cantona is heading back to Manchester to make a new film about synchronised swimming, called The Mermaid Men.
The actor, who played for Manchester United between 1992 and 1997, is taking the lead in the comedy, said to be reminiscent of The Full Monty, as an unemployed man setting up a swim team in 80s Britain. His character hopes to win an international competition in honour of his dead wife.
Cantona will start filming in July and has already been prepping for the role with swimming lessons, according to Journal du Dimanche. It will be the star’s 30th film, either in front of or behind the camera. The Mermaid Men will be directed by Stéphane Giusti, who’s also worked on comedies Made in Italy and Why Not Me?, but will utilise a British crew.
Cantona’s time at Manchester United was punctuated by great success but also headline-grabbing controversy, most notably his notorious kung-fu kick, which landed him with an assault conviction. He managed to avoid a two-week sentence and instead found himself with 120 hours’ community service
Since Cantona retired from football at the age of 30, he has enjoyed an unusually successful film career, including roles in Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric and a role alongside Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth. He will next be seen in The Salvation with Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green and on stage in Victor, where he’ll star with his wife Rachida Brakni.
“I feel a lot happier in the world of imagination,” Cantona said last year. “Maybe there is an element of fleeing reality to it. Real life is good as a source of inspiration, but I feel more at ease in the imaginary.”
