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Netflix has given a series order for a new animated take on classic comic-book franchise Asterix & Obelix.
The streaming giant is teaming with French publisher Hachette’s Les Editions Albert René on a French-language limited series based on the graphic novel series about the two eponymous Gauls who, with the help of a magic potion, fight the Roman occupation of Europe. The first Asterix & Obelix graphic novel was published in 1961, and there have been 38 volumes to date released in 111 languages and dialects. The 39th is set to be published this year. There have also been 15 animated and live-action films based on the comics.
Alain Chabat, writer and director of the most successful film adaptation — 2002 live-action hit Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra — has signed on to direct the series, which Alain Goldman of Legende Films will produce. Chabat’s feature, starring Christian Clavier as Asterix and Gérard Depardieu as Obelix, grossed more than $128 million at the global box office.
“I’m thrilled that Alain Chabat is coming back to Asterix for the first time since then, and that it’s on Netflix,” wrote Dominique Bazay, director, original animation at Netflix, in a blog post on Wednesday.
The new Asterix & Obelix series, which will be based on the graphic novel Asterix and the Big Fight, will debut in 2023.
Netflix is ramping up its French original content, which includes such hits as Omar Sy-starrer Lupin and cult favorite Call My Agent! Last year the company opened a new headquarters in Paris, part of a broader move to boost its slate of non-English-language films and series.
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