Alain Delon, the legendary figure of French cinema, passed away on August 18, 2024. His memory and artistry have forever etched his name into film history, particularly through the movie Le Samouraï. A reference in the Hitman: Blood Money video game recalls this legacy, paying homage to the iconic character portrayed by Delon.

Alain Delon’s name is synonymous with one of the most iconic roles in French cinema, Jef Costello, whom he portrayed in the 1967 film Le Samouraï. Delon’s cool, precise, and solitary hitman became one of the most memorable characters in modern cinema, leaving a legacy that extended far beyond the borders of France. His performance in Le Samouraï not only became a staple in film history but also influenced numerous other works, including video games.

Le Samouraï is a minimalist masterpiece directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, presenting a hitman who lives by a strict internal code. Jef Costello, the silent, restrained, yet deadly figure, lives alone, his only companion being a bird he keeps in a cage in his apartment. In the film, this symbol represents his solitude as well as his discipline and precision. The film’s atmosphere and Delon’s performance are both stark and measured, reflecting the monotony and isolation of the hitman’s life.

This iconic bird, which became one of the most recognizable symbols in film history, later appeared in the 2006 video game Hitman: Blood Money. The central character of the Hitman series, Agent 47, is also a precise, cool, and solitary assassin whose character bears many similarities to Delon’s Costello. The developers at IO Interactive discreetly placed a reference to Le Samouraï in the game: a bird in a cage in Agent 47’s apartment, a clear homage to Delon’s character and the film.

This small detail is not only an obvious reference for movie fans but also an element that strengthens the Hitman series’ connection to classic films. The Hitman games have never hidden their inspiration from film history, and this reference further demonstrates the developers’ awareness of how Delon and Le Samouraï influenced the portrayal of modern assassin characters.

The news of Alain Delon’s death on August 18, 2024, shocked the world. Although he had been living in retirement for years, his impact and legacy continue to resonate in cinema and beyond. Le Samouraï is a film that transcends generations, and Delon’s performance will remain forever memorable. The reference in the Hitman: Blood Money video game is a testament to this legacy, reminding us that Alain Delon’s Jef Costello still lives on in modern cultural consciousness.

The connection between the film and the game showcases how cinema can influence other mediums and how an iconic character can continue to live on in popular culture. Delon’s cool, detached style, which was at once deadly precise and deeply human, left a significant mark on films, and this legacy is now being preserved in video games as well. Through this subtle yet significant reference in Hitman: Blood Money, Delon’s spirit lives on in the digital world, ensuring that Jef Costello’s story remains with us for a long time.