Asterix and Obelix Mission Cleopatra is one of the most cult works of French cinema. The comedy directed by Alain Chabat stars Gérard Depardieu in the role of Obélix and Christian Clavier in that of Asterix. The latter spoke in particular about his filming experience, of which he does not have very good memories. For what ? We explain everything to you!
The iconic comedy released in 2002 remains, to this day, the big screen adaptation of the comic strip which brought in the most spectators in theaters, with nearly 15 million admissions recorded at the box office. If for the public, this film is synonymous with humor and laughter, it turns out that the filming was complicated for certain members of the team, including Christian Clavier.
We of course remember the French actor for having camped Doctor Jérôme Tarayre in the trilogy The Bronzedalongside the late Michel Blancbut also for having lent his features to the iconic Gaul in the live action adaptation from the legendary comic strips of the 50s. In 2022, Christian Clavier spoke with BFM TV to share information on Asterix and Obelix Mission Cleopatra.
A complicated shoot for Christian Clavier
Speaking to the French media a few years ago, Christian Clavier admitted that tensions reigned on the filming ofAsterix and Obelix Mission Cleopatra between him and the director of the feature film, Alain Chabat. Because of this dispute between the two artists, the actor of Cocorico has bitter memories of this production: “ I have mixed memories of the Asterixes in which I played. These are special effects films. We spend days waiting in the desert to get a big ball across and you say just one line in eight hours. Fortunately I had Gérard Depardieu as a companion, with whom I had deep conversations. »
Christian Clavier in cold weather with Alain Chabat and the rest of the team during the filming ofAsterix and Obelix Mission Cleopatra ?
But why did the actor have this impression? Christian Clavier felt left out in relation to these playing partners, especially in the face of Jamel Debbouze, who stole the show to all the other actors with his memorable scenes and lines. The interpreter of Asterix did not know how to stand out from the crowd and be heard in a shoot as imposing as this one. His discomfort was therefore felt and rubbed off on the rest of the group. “ I don’t know if the director really wanted to make the film with me. You ask me what I felt and I think there was something like this“, detailed the actor during this interview.
Despite this ordeal, Christian Clavier does not regret having played in Asterix and Obelix Mission Cleopatra : « These are films that I really like and that I was delighted to make.«
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