| Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Frédéric Forestier Thomas Langmann |
| Produced by | Jérôme Seydoux Thomas Langmann |
| Screenplay by | Thomas Langmann Alexandre Charlot Frank Magnier |
| Based on | Asterix at the Olympic Games by René Goscinny |
| Starring | Gérard Depardieu Clovis Cornillac Benoît Poelvoorde Alain Delon Vanessa Hessler Franck Dubosc José Garcia Stéphane Rousseau Jean-Pierre Cassel Élie Semoun Alexandre Astier |
| Music by | Frédéric Talgorn |
| Cinematography | Thierry Arbogast |
| Studio | La Petite Reine Pathé Renn Productions |
| Distributed by | Pathé |
| Release date(s) | 25 January 2008 (Poland) 30 January 2008 (France) |
| Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | France Germany Spain |
| Language | French |
| Budget | €78 million[1] |
| Box office | $132,856,738[2][3] |
Asterix at the Olympic Games (French: Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques) is a French film, adapted from René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo's Astérix comic series. It was filmed essentially in Spain in the course of the year 2006. Its €78 million budget makes it one of the most expensive European movies ever.[1] The movie has been poorly received by critics, but has done well at several European box offices topping charts in Poland, Spain and France.[4] In May 2008 it received the "Gérard du cinéma" (French equivalent of the Razzie Awards) for "Worst French film made in 2007."
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Astérix and Obélix have to win the Olympic Games in order to help their friend Lovesix (Stéphane Rousseau) marry Princess Irina (portrayed by supermodel Vanessa Hessler). Brutus (Benoît Poelvoorde) uses every trick in the book to have his own team win the game, and get rid of his father Julius Caesar (Alain Delon) in the process, but fails.
The film is very loosely adapted from the original Asterix at the Olympic Games comic book. The love story subplot between Lovesix and Irina was not featured in the original story. Brutus, portrayed here as a comical villain with no relation to his depictions in Asterix comics, is the main antagonist, although he was not even featured as a character in the original comic book.
There is a cameo of Adriana Karembeu as Mrs Geriatrix (replacing Arielle Dombasle in the first movie), and Jamel Debbouze reprises his role as Numerobis. German comedy star and director Michael Bully Herbig has a bit-part as a mute Roman soldier.
The film featured several cameos by real-life sport stars, such as Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt, Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker, and Amélie Mauresmo. The part of Roman athlete Claudius Cornedurus (Gluteus Maximus), played by Jérôme Le Banner, was originally to be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.[5]
The film grossed $23.4 million in France in its opening weekend, which was more than 60% of its gross in 19 territories in which the film was released. Box Office Mojo estimated $38.7 million in revenue within a week after the film was released.[6]