Behind the scenes of the filming of “Gladiators”, the new XXL game from TF1

In the last moments of August, in Val d’Oise, an imposing white building vibrates on the edge of the A15 motorway. Inside, more than 1,200 people are screaming. Built on the outskirts of a commercial area and the Salif Keïta sports complex, the Aren’Ice is hosting an unexpected event.

Usually, it is the players of the Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise who compete against their opponents from the Magnus League, the elite of the French ice hockey championship. For a few days, the ice rink and the cold disappeared in favor of the dizzying challenges and the burning atmosphere of the new TF1 game: « Gladiators » .

In the corridors the different protagonists cross paths in an incessant crossover. Among them, colossi bodybuilders and statuesque women dressed in tight outfits with the names Abyss, Apollo, Comet, Diamond, Electra, Ferocious, Flame, Fury, Goliath, Laser, Phoenix, Tank, Tonic, Titanium, Viking and Viper. These are the sixteen gladiators with disarming charisma and formidable physical abilities. One is world taekwondo champion, the other French boxing champion or even French crossfit champion. The most impressive is the physical body cast of Dwayne Johnson at the Grévin museum. Just that.

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35 tons of technical equipment, 800 projectors and 21 cameras

On a table, American football helmets are arranged alongside elbow pads, knee pads and other dental protection. Because, once in the 1300 m² arena, no one holds back and contacts multiply. There were injuries and scares, especially among the gladiators who had to go through one or two events. “But fortunately no fractures”assures producer Pascal Guix who had put in place a substantial medical system with several doctors ready to intervene. Technically, the resources are considerable: five semi-trailers of protective mats, four others for obstacles and 35 tonnes of technical equipment including 800 projectors and 21 cameras.

““Gladiators” is “Intervilles” without the cows”tells us Jean-Pierre Foucault between two tests. Related to Hélène Mannarino and to Denis Brogniartthe host is delighted to live this new experience. In the arena, among the three referees dressed in black and white, a certain Virginie Guillin returns to the TF1 cameras eight years after her participation in the Miss France 2017 competition as Miss Midi-Pyrénées. “I have met more than 1,200 candidates in 30 years”underlines Jean-Pierre Foucault who admits not having recognized it spontaneously. On his return to the arena, the host went to meet the woman who also works as a journalist on the DAZN channel and as an official referee of football matches.

“Gladiators”, a legendary game in the United States

Between 1989 and 1996, « American Gladiators » was a television phenomenon in the United States. Its creator, Johnny Ferraro, owner of a gym where he organized tournaments for bodybuilders, had the idea of ​​pitting ordinary individuals against overtrained athletes. The story of David against Goliath transposed into a series of tests of strength, agility and endurance. After a difficult start, the program had obtained better audiences than broadcasts of American football matches and the gladiators had become adored celebrities.

Encouraged by the success of this format on BBC One in England last January, with more than 8.4 million viewers at launch, TF1 decided to in turn focus on “Gladiators”. A family concept made timeless by its fundamentals which are a spectacular sporting competition, identifiable challengers from the public and extraordinary athletes who look like superheroes. “On the surface, it’s a losing battle”underlines Julien Degroote, director of development and creation of the TF1 group.

Broadcast from December 27, every Friday at 9:10 p.m., “Gladiators” will ultimately offer its two winners a sum of 50,000 euros to share.