Picture Credits: Netflix
The popular reality series Physical format is officially getting a French adaptation, launching soon on Netflix! Netflix France confirmed it’s the latest to spin off from the format that originated in South Korea, which already has two variations on Netflix, with Italian, Mexican, Swedish, and an American version also on the way.
After a surprise roast format featuring French football champions in June, Netflix France doubles up in the unscripted arena with this latest adaptation of Physical. The principle remains the same: 100 personalities are competing in a series of physical challenges, until one of them is crowned the winner. The production company handling this project for France is Adventure Line Productions, a veteran production company known for large-scale game formats like Koh-Lanta, the juggernaut adaptation of Survivor, and long-running adventure game Fort Boyard.
Per Netflix:
“100 athletes of all ages, and from completely different sporting backgrounds—including martial arts, bodybuilding, CrossFit, rugby, athletics—will compete in a massive sports competition with the goal of finding out which athlete is in the best physical shape. Individually or as a team, they will take part in “XXL Quests” that will put their abilities—endurance, stamina, strength, agility—to the test more than ever before. The winner of the competition will take home €200,000.”
Who are the first announced personalities?
The mix of 100 candidates is known to draw a wide net, and this announcement included just a first few names. They are:
On the content creator side, Tibo InShape and IbraTV are the most eye-catching names. Tibo InShape has one of the largest followings for specialized YouTube fitness-related videos and has parlayed his success into numerous appearances and interviews in French media. The Russian-born IbraTV specializes in pranks and focuses on mixed martial arts and boxing videos, which have earned him more than 5 million subscribers. He has also participated twice in the game show Ninja Warrior; both are among the most athletic of the candidates.
Other content creators include:
- LeBouseuh (fitness, comedy and interviews);
- Henry Tran (comedy);
- Brawks (e-sports streamer and ambassador);
- DaEtienne (Étienne Ca, former pro basketball player and streamer);
- Alexis Landot (urban climbing specialist);
- Léo Primal (urbex YouTuber).
The official logo for the competition.
– For the athletes, they include:
- Francis Ngannou, the champion MMA fighter;
- Professional Fighters League superstar Cédric Doumbè, who is also participating in upcoming MMA-themed competition format L’Arène as a jury member;
- Women’s judo champion Romane Dicko;
- Women’s judo champion Amandine Buchard;
- Former French national handball player Luc Abalo;
- Christophe Lemaître, an elite sprinter;
- Tennis player Benoît Paire;
- And Olympic boxing medalist Estelle Moussely.
Actor and rapper Hatik, one of the candidates, was seen in 2024 miniseries Anthracite. Cr : Christine Tamalet/Netflix.
Finally, rappers and actors Jean Gab’1, Bosh (The Cage), and Hatik, who was one of the leads of the 2024 French miniseries Anthracite, and comedian Ragnar Le Breton are also among the candidates.
Bosh (left), playing fighter Ibrahim Ibara in The Cage, has joined the 100 competitors of Physical : France. Cr : Alan Cohen/Netflix.
The show is now in production at an as-yet-unannounced location, for a premiere within the next few months.
Are you curious about this brand-new adaptation? Did you watch and enjoy the previous versions? Sound off in the comments section below!
