Since the first live-action film, each Asterix and Obelix adventure on the big screen has faithfully followed the plot of a cult album by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. With The Middle Kingdom, released in 2023, Guillaume Canet and his team are taking the gamble of radically changing the Asterix mythology, by imagining a completely new story, anchored in a new setting.
A risky bet
This is the first time that an Asterix film has broken free from the framework imposed by the comic strip to offer an original script, written especially for the cinema by Guillaume Canet, Philippe Mechelen and Julien Hervé. A historic turning point for the saga, which opens the way to new horizons in terms of storytelling and creativity.
Behind this decision, the film's creators wanted to free themselves from the expectations of the comic strip to offer a unique adventure in the heart of Imperial China. The story, centered on Princess Fu Yi, offered plenty of opportunity to introduce new characters and new challenges. A boon for the cult saga, which succeeded in reinventing itself by offering new perspectives to its heroes. Despite mixed reviews and a €65 million investment, the fifth live-action film about the little mustachioed boy finally found success, giving rise to a book inspired by the film's script, written by Olivier Gay and Fabrice Tarrin. The Gauls have come full circle, and they've even been a hit internationally.
Netflix wants to make a feast of the Gauls
The arrival of The Middle Kingdom on Netflix is no coincidence. The platform has long capitalized on the success of the little Gaul. After hosting a few animated films from our childhood, as well as several live-action films, it's breaking new ground this year, bringing in Alain Chabat to move to the series format, with the excellent Asterix and Obelix: The Battle of the Chiefs, which boasts a prestigious cast, incredible animated sequences, and a high-flying post-credits scene. A wonderful discovery that we recommend you see, by Toutatis.
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