If there is one thing that I can say for certain, it is that Luc Besson doesn't quite have a handle on what it means to "retire." After "retiring" last year, Erik posted in January that the director's Arthur series would be continuing into a cinematic trilogy. Now Besson has said that he will be directing the first sequel, although he's made no reference to the third film specifically. According to him, he'll take on the second part, and then that's it: "Right now that is it. I am going to do Arthur 2 for sure. But that is different, it is not new, it is a continuation." I see. I guess if a movie is a continuation, and not an entirely new story, it doesn't go against ones retirement? If that's the case, I'm sure he'll direct the final film as well.

I guess his weariness is weighing on his mind. He also stated: "The thing is just that I am tired and a little dried up. There is an old saying in French: 'If you have nothing to say, just shut up.'" While I'd be inclined to agree, I think there is a difference between shutting up and repeatedly claiming that you're going to retire. But that's not all -- while he is pushing off his retirement and calling the next film his last, he still says: "If in one week, one month, one year I feel that I have the strength, I will bother you for two more hours." What's the point of claiming retirement along with a statement that you might make another film? Why not just not say anything and make another film if and when the inspiration strikes? This isn't retirement, this is a break!

And just when you thought he was retiring from directing, Luc Besson is back baby -- the man has officially announced, not one, but two upcoming sequels to what will essentially be an Arthur trilogy. First, as many of you are already aware (since it's currently playing in theaters, and expanding domestically next week) is Arthur and the Minimoys, based off the first two volumes from the Besson-penned fantasy book series.

We recently got word that if Minimoys did well at the box office (and with the audience), Besson would begin adapting Arthur and the Forbidden City, the second book in the series. However, according to Variety, they claim Minimoys combines both the first and the second book -- which means Forbidden City is out, and the next two pics will revolve around volumes three and four. Seeing as Minimoys has already passed the five million admission mark in France (already surpassing Besson's other films, save for The Big Blues and The Fifth Element), the writer-producer-director has taken out a four-page ad in a French trade magazine that claims Arthur and the Vengeance of Malthazar is coming in 2009 and Arthur and the War of Two Worlds is coming in 2010.

Now, I should note that nowhere in the article does it mention that Besson will indeed be helming the next two installments, though all signs point to him directing -- I mean, they are his babies. The epic story blends live action with animation, and follows a little boy named Arthur (Freddy Highmore) who finds himself transported to a magical land underneath his yard packed full with creatures called Minimoys.

I don't know what to make of Luc Besson. I first became aware of the director in college after seeing his action-classic La Femme Nikita. In fact, that film was one of the first ones I purchased on DVD when I got a DVD player. Then, he went on to direct the nearly-as-impressive The Professional and The Fifth Element -- featuring the exquisite Milla Jovovich as the perfect woman (inspired casting, IMHO). I liked those films but I didn't love them as much as I loved La Femme Nikita. And please, don't even get me started on The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Man, what happened there?

Anyway, Besson continued to direct a few more films after The Messenger -- including Angel-A and the upcoming children's live-action/cgi film Arthur and the Minimoys (which our own Monika wrote about previously). However, for some reason -- declining popularity, critical drubbing, boredom, being French -- Besson announced that he was retiring from directing now that he's basically finished with his latest film. Cut to today because it seems he may have had second thoughts and that the rumors of his retirement may have been "exaggerated."

According to Production Weekly, Besson would consider a return to directing if his film Arthur and the Minimoys does well. Provided that the film is a success, Besson would begin adapting the second book of the series Arthur and the Forbidden City for the screen with an anticipated start of shooting as early as June of next year. I don't know, this sort of smells of desperation, doesn't it? Sure, its up to him if he wants to retire. But either do it or don't do it. And either way, don't hang it on the audience and try to make them feel guilty or something if you stay retired because your film doesn't do well. If you do that, you just end up sounding like a whiner who can't make up his mind. And really, nobody likes a whiner.

It's been a while since we've had some news on Arthur and the Minimoys, save a trailer. Wait, Invisibles. No, Minimoys. Is anyone else getting a Sorcerer-vs-Philosopher flashback? To recap, the film is based on Arthur and the Minimoys, a book written by Luc Besson himself. In the book, Arthur and his grandmother are facing eviction, suffering in the absence of his grandfather, who is missing. After discovering one of his grandfather's drawings of a red-haired princess, he travels to the land of Minimoys in an attempt to save his family.

A mixture of live-action and computer graphics, Martha Fischer previously reported on the interesting cast that contains the voices of pop music icons Madonna and David Bowie. Now it's time to add a whole mess of non-musical names to the list. There are the funny men, like Jason Bateman and Jimmy Fallon, but there are also a whole slew of actors known for their macho image. With the likes of Harvey Keitel, Chazz Palminteri and Robert De Niro also in the film, do the Minimoys have their own collection of mini-mobsters?

Now that Besson is retiring from filmmaking, this could very well be his last directorial effort in the feature film world. If you're trying to get in all the Besson you can before he commits himself to a life of civic work and youth groups, you can also catch the Luc-penned Taxi 4 next year, although the third sequel to a franchise hardly seems like the right send-off to the man who made Leon. Arthur and the Minimoys will enjoy a limited release on December 15, and grab a larger release in the new year.