"Asterix" Live-Action Film in Works at Studiocanal

Studiocanal and Editions Albert René have signed an exclusive development agreement for the sixth live-action film of the adventures of the French comic book character, Asterix.

Created in 1959 by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, Asterix is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2024. It follows the adventures of Asterix and Obelix and their friends who live in a small village in Gaul, the only outpost of resistance against Julius Caesar’s mighty Roman empire. 

Since the launched, they have become a cultural phenomenon, both in France and internationally. Some 400 million Asterix books in 130 languages and dialects have been sold. Since 1961, 40 albums of Asterix adventures have been published and five live-action films have been produced.

The Asterix live-action films are “Asterix and Obelix take on Caesar” (1999), “Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra” (2002), “Asterix at the Olympic Games” (2008) “Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia” (2012) and Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom” (2023). There are also 10 animated Asterix films.

Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal, said: “I am delighted with this exclusive development agreement signed with Editions Albert René, which will allow Studiocanal to produce the sixth live-action Asterix adventure film. But more than that, on behalf of Studiocanal and the Canal+ Group, I feel honored by the trust placed in us by Editions Albert René. We are aware that Asterix is a cultural icon, and will ensure that we respect his world, in tribute to the work of its amazing creators René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo.”

An Asterix 3D animated series by French director, screenwriter and actor Alain Chabat is due on Netflix next year.

Isabelle Magnac, president of Editions Albert René, said: “I am delighted by this agreement with Studiocanal which aims to develop and produce this new adventure of Asterix for the cinema, after the success of ‘Asterix and the Middle Kingdom.’ Studiocanal was able to convince us of its ambition, its international know-how, the quality of its teams and its professionalism. By working closely together, we will develop this new film around the legendary work created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Signing this agreement marks a further new stage in the on-screen adventures of Asterix along with the release of the Netflix series by Alain Chabat in 2025 and the M6 cartoon planned for 2026.”

Meanwhile, Studiocanal has created Studiocanal Stories, a new label dedicated to films and TV series adaptations of literature IPs. The label will be run by Studiocanal VP of Development Sarah Reese Geffroy, who is upped to senior VP of Studiocanal Stories and TV series development. 

She will take up her new role on May 1 and report to M-K Kennedy, executive managing director of TV Series, and Ron Halpern, executive VP of global production and talent management.