In 2004, when filming began for “Iznogoud,” an adaptation of the comic strip of the same name, Michael Youn was at the peak of his popularity. The former host of “Morning Live” on M6 had success in the cinema with “La Beuze” and “Les Dix Commandements,” and he was determined to continue. In “Iznogoud,” he plays the title role of the grand vizier who wants to be Caliph in place of the Caliph. To portray Prehti-Ouhman (got it?), a young and beautiful slave who captivates Iznogoud, they searched for the perfect actress. And it was Elsa Pataky, a Spanish actress, relatively unknown to the general public, who unanimously impressed the director, Patrick Braoud, during an audition. Even Michael Youn compared her to Monica Bellucci.
Michael Youn and Elsa Pataky, then, experienced love at first sight. Elsa was known for her role in the series “La familia Serrano” in Spain before it aired in France in 2006. “Patrick chose me, and a few weeks later, I was off to Ouarzazate, Morocco,” the actress told Le Parisien in early 2005 when the film was released. “Two months for shooting with Michael, who speaks Spanish very well. He made me laugh, we talked a lot. And that’s how our story began…” Indeed, it was love at first sight between the two. Both football fans, they even attended Brazilian footballer Ronaldo’s lavish engagement to Daniella Cicarelli at Chantilly Castle in February 2005 (who would split three months later).
The film “Iznogoud” was a hit despite harsh criticism. Elsa and Michael’s love bloomed for two years, even though their respective careers kept them apart. But the French actor was in for a shock.
…leading to infidelity. “Out of stupidity, more than love, I still traveled 15,000 kilometers in a single day to get dumped,” he shared on the show “Tonight with Arthur” in 2012. “My darling at the time (he doesn’t name her) was working in Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada, and it was her birthday (Elsa was born in July, FYI). So, I bought her a little necklace and thought, I’ll surprise her. Paris, Montreal, Montreal, Vancouver by plane, that’s a bit long,” he added. Things did not go as he had hoped. “Arriving at her hotel, I sat in the lobby and saw her arriving at that moment, arm in arm with the producer of the movie she was filming (Snakes on a Plane). They kissed, and she whispered in his ear. I said hello, and she saw that I was devastated. She said, ‘Well, I’m with him. Maybe it’s best if you don’t stay for the weekend.’…Two hours later, I was back at the airport,” the actor continued. It was an act of infidelity that he eventually forgave.
We will indeed see Michael and Elsa grace more red carpets until their separation was finalized in May of the following year. Elsa had already found someone new in her life.
Adrien Brody, Elsa Pataky’s rebound guy. A few weeks later, and after denying any relationship, Elsa Pataky was seen with Adrien Brody. They met through a dialect coach while the actor was filming “Manolete” in Spain. “The first time I saw her, I was completely enthralled. I later told Elsa that I was very uncomfortable because she was so beautiful, charming, and sweet. I was very dumbfounded,” Adrien shared. “I remember what she was wearing, and I remember she had a cute little convertible, and I thought to myself: ‘Wow! She even has a nice car!'” he added. “When we met, my previous relationship had just ended, and Adrien was also single. It was destiny,” Elsa confirmed. She would later marry Chris Hemsworth. Michael Youn, on the other hand, moved on with Isabelle Funaro.
