Asterix at the Olympic Games (film) explained

Asterix at the Olympic Games
Music:Frédéric Talgorn
Cinematography:Thierry Arbogast
Distributor:Pathé Distribution (France, Switzerland and United Kingdom)
Constantin Film (Germany and Austria)[1]
Tripictures (Spain)
Warner Bros. Pictures (Italy)
Alternative Films (Belgium)
Runtime:117 minutes[2]
Language:French
Portuguese
Budget:$113.5 million[3]
Gross:$133 million

Asterix at the Olympic Games (French: '''Astérix aux Jeux olympiques''') is a 2008 French fantasy comedy film co–directed by Frédéric Forestier and Thomas Langmann, and written by Langmann, Alexandre Charlot and Frank Magnier, based on characters from René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo's Astérix comic series. A sequel to (2002), it is the third installment in the Asterix film series.

At the time of its release, it was the most expensive French and non English-language film of all time.[4] The film was negatively received by critics, but performed well at several European box offices, topping charts in Poland, Spain and France.[5] It was the final film of Alain Delon before his death.[6]

Plot

Astérix and Obélix must win the Olympic Games in Greece in order to help their friend Lovesix marry Greek princess Irina. Brutus uses every trick in the book to have his own team win the game and get rid of his father Julius Caesar in the process.

The film is 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.

Cast

There is a cameo of Adriana Karembeu as Mrs Geriatrix and Jamel Debbouze reprises his role as Numerobis. Italian comedy actor Enrico Brignano appears as a reporter.

The film featured several cameos by real-life sports stars, most prominently by Michael Schumacher as Schumix, but also Jean Todt, Zinedine Zidane, Tony Parker and Amélie Mauresmo. Professional wrestler Nathan Jones portrays Humungus. The part of Roman athlete Claudius Cornedurus (Gluteus Maximus), played by Jérôme Le Banner, was originally to be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.[7]

Production

Filming

Filming took place in Alicante (including the Ciudad de la Luz studio),[8] Spain and lasted six months.

Reception

Box office

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.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Asterix at the Olympic Games (2006). UniFrance. 1 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques - Astérix at the Olympic Games (PG) . . 28 January 2008 . 8 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques.
  4. . Asterix Aims to Conquer Europe . 31 January 2008 . 31 January 2008 . Leo . Cendrowicz . https://web.archive.org/web/20080201071254/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0%2C8599%2C1708610%2C00.html . 1 February 2008 . dead .
  5. https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080211/media_nm/boxoffice_overseas_dc;_ylt=AuT_yJRjympYY7qMfY2fWelxFb8C
  6. Web site: Mesmeric and beautiful, Alain Delon was one of cinema’s most mysterious stars. The Guadian.
  7. Web site: News : Alain Delon et Jean-Claude Van Damme dans "Astérix 3" ! . Allocine.fr . 31 December 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090728074240/http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle%3D18373779.html . 28 July 2009 .
  8. Lights go out on Alicante movie studios. El País. Adolf . Beltran. Ferran. Bono. 7 June 2014.
  9. Web site: Around the World Roundup: 'Asterix' Leaps to the Top . Box Office Mojo . 10 February 2008 . 31 December 2010.