Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founder | Guillaume Canet (director and co-writer) |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Live-action adventure comedy film |
| Parent | Pathé, Les Enfants Terribles, Tresor Films |
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom () is a 2023 French live-action adventure comedy film directed and co-written by Guillaume Canet, who also portrays the character Asterix. This movie represents the fifth entry in the Asterix live-action film series.
Alongside Canet, Gilles Lellouche stars as Obelix. The narrative centers on the protagonists’ unprecedented journey to Han-era China. The screenplay, initially crafted by Philippe Mechelen and Julien Hervé, was further developed in collaboration with Canet.[1] Significantly, this installment marks the first live-action Asterix adaptation that is not derived from any existing comic book album and does not feature Gérard Depardieu as Obelix.
Filming was originally planned in China for 2020 but was postponed and relocated to France due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] With a production budget of $72.4 million, the project was jointly produced by Pathé, Les Enfants Terribles, and Tresor Films based in Paris.[3] The movie debuted in French theaters on 1 February 2023,[4] followed by a release on Netflix in selected territories on 19 May 2023.[5] Despite its prominence, the film was met with unfavorable critiques and earned $46 million globally, failing to recoup its budget and thus classified as a box-office bomb.
Plot
Set in 50 BC, Gaul is largely dominated by Roman forces except for one defiant Gaulish village surrounded by four Roman fortresses. Asterix expresses concern about the long-term consequences of their magic potion but acknowledges its necessity to withstand Roman dominance. Prominent villagers include Unhygienix (the fishmonger), Cacofonix (the bard), Vitalstatistix (the chief), Getafix (the druid), and Panacea (a young woman).
Princess Fu Yi, daughter of Emperor Han Xuandi of China, escapes from a rebellious prince named Deng Tsin Qin. She travels toward Gaul accompanied by her coachman Graindemais and protector Tat Han. Asterix and Obelix develop romantic feelings for Fu Yi and Panacea, respectively.
Fu Yi reveals that her mother, the Empress of China, faces challenges maintaining authority amid ambitious princes. Deng introduces a new tax and desires to wed Fu Yi, who refuses his proposal. The Empress enlists Epidemais, a Western merchant claiming connections to Gaul, to escort Fu Yi safely. Epidemais assigns Graindemais to the task but is captured along with the Empress. Vitalstatistix declines involvement due to distance concerns; however, Asterix and Obelix volunteer to assist.
Meanwhile, Julius Caesar remains in Rome alongside Cleopatra. After his reputation is questioned, Caesar resolves to achieve fame in China by supporting Deng Tsin Qin. His army embarks along the Silk Road but encounters delays.
Asterix’s group crosses the Mediterranean Sea into North Africa, journeys through Egypt, and hires a boatman named Titanix for passage to China. They witness the magic potion’s effects during a tavern brawl. Tat Han single-handedly defeats pirates, earning Obelix’s admiration.
Caesar’s troops advance through Persia and Mongolia. He dispatches warrior Caius Antivirus to conquer resisting kingdoms; only the Ku Koo clan remains undefeated. Fu Yi’s party arrives in China intending to rescue the Empress imprisoned at Xuan temple before confronting Ku Koo.
Tat Han successfully frees the Empress; Epidemais remains behind to negotiate his fate. Fu Yi, Asterix, and Obelix hasten to secure Ku Koo’s allegiance. Contrary to rumors, Crown Prince Du Deng is handsome and captures Fu Yi’s heart.
Facing an army of 10,000 against Caesar’s 80,000 soldiers, Fu Yi and Du Deng depend on Asterix’s magic potion. When an arrow punctures the potion flask mid-battle causing it to run out, Obelix defends Asterix fiercely. Fu Yi is captured but later rescued as the Empress arrives with a vast army, compelling Roman surrender and Caesar’s withdrawal.
The Empress visits Gaul to express gratitude to its inhabitants; Du Deng weds Fu Yi. Obelix chooses Tat Han over Panacea. The tale concludes with festivities prior to Tat Han returning to China alongside the Empress and Fu Yi.
English voice cast
- Adam Rhys Dee voices Asterix
- Cristian Solimeno portrays Obelix
- Nicholas Boulton as Julius Caesar
- Joe Da Costa in the role of Bankruptis
- Jessica Carroll as Cleopatra
- Elizabeth Chan plays Ka Ra Tay
- Luis Soto as Biopix
- James Goode voices Scar Dee Kat
- Peter Polycarpou as Ekonomikrisis
- Wayne Forrester as Deng Tsin Quin
- Linh-Dan Pham portrays the Empress
- Rick May provides Soldier Screaming Sound Effect
Production
After the previous live-action Asterix movies achieved mixed results, Anne Goscinny, daughter of the original creator René Goscinny, advocated in 2016 for a fresh approach to both casting and storytelling. Potential directors considered included Michel Hazanavicius and Franck Gastambide, with plans to adapt Asterix in Corsica.
In November 2017, Éditions Albert René alongside producers Alain Attal and Yohan Baiada revealed plans for a new live-action installment unrelated to any existing comic storyline, set in China with production initially scheduled for 2020.
By October 2019, Guillaume Canet was confirmed to direct and star as Asterix, while Gilles Lellouche was cast as Obelix—a role formerly associated with Gérard Depardieu, who was Albert Uderzo's favored actor. Depardieu expressed no dissatisfaction regarding the casting change.
Alain Attal disclosed that Canet and he presented the project to Chinese officials along with French President Emmanuel Macron, aiming to secure filming permits, co-production agreements, and distribution deals. Pathé engaged in negotiations with Chinese partners to finance part of the budget and planned to handle distribution both domestically and internationally. The film's working English title was Asterix and Obelix: The Silk Road.
Production was suspended in February 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. By December 2020, Lellouche indicated that filming would not proceed in China primarily due to political complications.
In March 2021, the shooting locations were relocated to the Guéry plateau in Puy-de-Dôme, accompanied by casting calls seeking Asian and Caucasian male extras with athletic builds. Principal photography commenced on 12 April 2021 at Bry-sur-Marne studios, with additional scenes filmed in Brétigny-sur-Orge and Morocco. After a 17-week schedule, Canet announced on 6 August 2021 that filming had wrapped.
Soundtrack
- "Say You, Say Me" – performed by Lionel Richie
- "We Will Rock You (Antivirus)" – by Queen alongside Roman Soldiers
- "Kung Fu Fighting" – featuring Cee Lo Green and Jack Black
- "Deborah's Theme" (from Once Upon a Time in America) – composed by Ennio Morricone
- "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" – sung by Julie Chen & Tran Vu Tran
Reception
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom received a 40% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on ten critic reviews, averaging a score of 5 out of 10.