Asterix at the Olympic Games (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astérix aux Jeux olympiques |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Frédéric Talgorn |
| Cinematography | Thierry Arbogast |
| Editing by |
|
| Distributed by | Pathé Distribution |
| Release date(s) | 13 January 2008 (Paris premiere) 25 January 2008 (Poland) 30 January 2008 |
| Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country |
|
| Language | French |
| Budget | $113.5 million |
| Money made | $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. It was filmed primarily in Spain throughout 2006.
At the time of release, it was the most expensive French and non English-speaking film of all time. The film was negatively received by critics, but performed well at several European box offices, topping charts in Poland, Spain and France.
Contents
Plot
Astérix and Obélix must win the Olympic Games in order to help their friend Lovesix (Stéphane Rousseau) marry Princess Irina (portrayed by 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.
The film is loosely adapted from the original Asterix at the Olympic Games comic book. The love story subplot between Lovesick 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
- Gérard Depardieu as Obélix
- Clovis Cornillac as Astérix
- Benoît Poelvoorde as Brutus
- Jean-Pierre Cassel as the Druid Panoramix
- Alain Delon as Julius Caesar
- Bouli Lanners as Samagas
- Jean-Pierre Castaldi as Castaldus
- Dorothée Jemma as Bonemine
- Santiago Segura as Docteurmabus
- Vanessa Hessler as Princess Irina
- Stéphane Rousseau as Lovesix
- José Garcia as Couverdepus
- Vincent Moscato as Goth
There is a cameo of Adriana Karembeu as Mrs Geriatrix 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. Italian comedy actor Enrico Brignano appears as a reporter.
The film featured several cameos by real-life sports 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.
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.
See also
In Spanish: Astérix en los Juegos Olímpicos (película) para niños
