In other Asterix at the Olympic Games film related news, the official movie poster has been released (see right) and an english subtitled version of the teaser trailer is now displayed on my Olympic Games film page. I have also added an editorial which asks "Will the Olympics win the games?" - anaylsing what we know so far about the film and whether it will succesfully transfer the spirit of the book to the screen.

The Atari UK wesbite is also allowing you to download a PC trial version of the Olympic Games game (unfortunately, I've been unable to download it yet).

Its great to see these American shows including references to Asterix, particularily since he is relatively obscure in the US!

The most notable reference to Asterix in an english TV Show had been in the Mr Bean Episode "GOOD Night, Mr Bean" (episode 13, first aired 31 October 1995) in which Bean and Teddy read Asterix and the Laurel Wreath together in bed, and Bean chuckles often.

• Uderzo reaffirms his intention to create another Asterix story. However, he admits he's still looking for an idea
• Asterix is called "Asterix" not because he is the star (*) but it would mean the series would appear first in an encyclopedia of comics!

It also contains a preview of a special Asterix at the Olympic Games cover (see right) Uderzo is working on depicting a triumphant Asterix on a podium holding a Laurel Wreath with Caesar indignantly walking off.

UPDATE: The finished special edition cover can now be viewed here.

Its an Olympic Games themed news day with an announcement of an Asterix at the Olympic Games Game from Atari to be released on PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC and also the discovery of an Asterix at the Olympic Games movie book to be released in English!

Another new Asterix album has very quietly appeared on Amazon.co.uk's Asterix book list. This time its Asterix at the Olympic Games Book of the Film. We knew that this movie book to complement the release of the latest live-action film was to be coming out in other langauges, it was unknown whether we would see an English release. The film tie in for Asterix and Obelix take on Caesar was never released in English for instance.

More than 330 million copies of Asterix books have been sold all around the world, and the series has been translated into over 100 languages Asterix at the Olympic Games has the biggest budget of any Asterix movie ever filmed, over 78 million Euros, and stars Gerard Depardieu, featuring guest cameos from David Beckham, Michael Schumacher, Zinedine Zidane and wrestler Nathan Jones Publication coincides with the European release date The last Asterix film tie-in, Asterix and the Vikings, has sold 20,000 copies so far in hardback"

Here's the Synopsis: "Developed by Etranges Libellules in close collaboration with Asterix licensor Les Editions Albert René and with film production company La Petite Reine, the game follows Asterix, Obelix and the faithful Dogmatix as they travel to Greece in aid of their lovesick friend Alafolix. Their journey takes them to the Olympic Games where they find themselves pitted against the athletic might of the Roman Empire. Adventure and hilarity ensue as Asterix and friends compete to get the better of Brutus, his muscle-bound champion, and their long-time nemesis, Julius Caesar himself.

In Asterix at the Olympic Games players can choose from three playable characters, Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix, in an original story which takes a parallel course to the film and the comic book. Our heroes must stop Brutus who has opened the gates between the worlds of the book, the film and the game while still finding time and energy to triumph at the Olympic Games themselves. The mini-game mode lets players compete in Olympic challenges with their chosen character, while two-player multiplayer lets friends go head to head in a series of hilarious contests." Link

Two new Asterix Omnibus editions will be published featuring the first three Asterix stories and the last three Asterix Stories.. Orion, the english publisher is releasing these omnibuses in both hardback and paperback on November 15th. This is the first time the first three and the last three Asterix books have been published together in a collected volume.

These "fabulous collector's edition of Asterix" are:

• Asterix Omnibus 1: Three great Asterix stories in one volume (Asterix the Gaul, Asterix and the Golden Sickle, Asterix and the Goths)
• Asterix Omnibus 2: Three Great Asterix Stories in One Volume (Asterix and the Actress, Asterix and the Class Act, Asterix and the Falling Sky

The covers have not yet been released. You can preorder the books from amazon.co.uk by following the links.

This is the first time the new Asterix english publisher Orion have printed these types of Asterix editions. There have been many others printed in the past - see my Beyond 33 page (scroll down).

Still no sign of the latest Asterix cartoon movie "Asterix and the Vikings" raiding New Zealand beaches. Just as we have not seen nothing of the two live-action movies Take on Caesar and Mission Cleopatra, it is unlikely that we will see this movie in New Zealand cinemas, or even on Region 4 DVD.

So we probably won't be able to watch the film, but we can READ the book. I had been keeping my eye out for Asterix and the Vikings: The Book of the Film and finally found it in Paper Plus (which is usually well stocked with Asterix books) - its a beautifully illustrated book!

Most bookshops have at least some of the Asterix books in softcover (hardcover however is scarce). Whitcoulls and Borders both stock a great box-set of 7 Asterix DVDs (Gaul, Cleopatra, Twelve Tasks, Britain, Vs Caesar, Big Fight, Conquers America).

The Asterix Refoundation

The 33 Asterix books are getting re-released as part of a "Grand Collection". The pages will be 20% bigger, contain 8 more pages, and every single panel from the entire range of books will be recoloured, relettered etc. Albert Uderzo has even drawn new covers for Asterix the Gaul and Asterix and the Golden Sickle for the occasion!

BUT... There is no word if Orion, the english Asterix publishers, will also publish these brand new editions. Bizarely, we had a recent re-release with the 2004 Reeditions which recoloured the first 8 books and issued the rest of the series with new covers. There were many technical problems with these reeditions (see here). The publishers of the Grand collection seem to want to get their new versions perfect, releasing only 8 new titles a year until 2009. Unfortunately for us, it probably wouldn't make good financial sense for Orion to also republish the Asterix books after the high profile 2004-2005 re-release with booksellers still carrying ample stock.

Asterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games Casting Update!

Most interestingly, Action Star Jean Claude Van Damme who was reported to be starring as the major character of Glutues Maximus in Asterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games, now seems to be out (if indeed he was ever in). Fiming has started with French K1 Champion Jerome Le Banner in this role.

More info on this, and other casting information can be found here.

I was tired of the old, dark site design so I have spent my time re-designing the site and completing updates - producing a brighter, better-looking and more informative presentation for a new year.

As well as the obvious colour scheme and graphics change, you may be interested in the following updates:

• The Take a Look Inside pages now contain information, reviews and trivia on all 33 of the Asterix Books + The Dogmatix Books
• The Mistakes in the Asterix Books page now contain mistakes from all 33 of the Asterix books
• The Asterix Characters page has had more characters added
• More pictures added to the Asterix Images mini-site
• More great products have been added to the Asterix Store

With this major overhaul there are bound to be some problems needing fixing, and if you do find some I'd appreciate you emailing me!

With Christian Clavier not returning for the 3rd Live Action Asterix Movie "Asterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games", it has been announced that Clovis Cornillac will be taking over the title role.

Clovis Cornillac is a star in France, appearing in many of their big budget films including 'Les chevaliers du ciel' in which he plays a Military pilot.

Meanwhile, Gerard Depardieu who plays Obelix in the movies, has announced "I'm in the process of stopping filming". Olympic Games, which he can't get out of because of contract reasons, will possibly be one of his last films.

The latest Asterix book - Asterix and the Falling Sky is released today in 27 countries and 15 languages.

The book is supposed "to set a benchmark for Gaul" and I have heard some interesting rumours about the book, but its probably best to read the book first.

New Zealand fans are going to have to wait, the book is on order and will becoming to New Zealand, but none of the bookstores I talked to where able to tell me when. The best bet for NZ fans to get it as soon as possible (and what I'm doing!) is to order it online.

Uderzo revealed it wouldn't be his last book: "I enjoy what I'm doing despite my age and as long as I can find a good idea I will make another album". Although he does admit it is difficult to continue coming with ideas and health is an issue - he is having problems with his hands.

To find out more on the book, check out my Next Asterix book page.

IOL has a very interesting article about how France's Asterix theme park "Parc Asterix" is in profit and doing far better than its American competitior Euro Disney which is in debt, despite the 13 million visitors per year.

Once again the Gauls have defeated the invaders! Hit the link for more.

Editions Albert Rene have given producer Thomas Langmann the all clear to film Asterix at the Olympic Games as the third Asterix movie.

French action film star Jean-Claude Van Damme will star, playing the Roman Legionary Gluteus Maximus, who represents Rome at the Games.

Other casting news reported:

• Christian Clavier will not be returning to reprise his role as Asterix. No news about who would replace him. Gerard Depardieu is however expected to return as Obelix.

• Alain Delon will play the third Julius Caesar in the series. The part was previously played by Gottfried John and Alain Chabat.

• Indian Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is also in the cast. No news about who she'd play as there are no main female characters in the book. It is possibly they have written a new part in the movie for her.

• Benoît Poelvoorde also has a role in the film. Although not confirmed, he would be most likely to play the Roman Centurion Gaius Veriambitius. UPDATE 16/6: The Star has reported that he will play Brutus.

Variety.com has reported that the son of Asterix Producer Claude Berri, Thomas Langmann, has come up with a new script for a live-action Asterix movie based on Asterix at the Olympic Games. Berri had hoped to make a third Asterix movie two years ago (based on Asterix in Spain) but the right holders of Asterix rejected the idea because they apparently weren't happy with the script.

Langmann and Berri are still waiting for an okay by the Albert-Rene, but hope the movie can start production next year with Frederic Forestier as the director. No doubt they would hope this to be released in 2008, to coincide with China's Olympic Games.

The latest Asterix Missive, in wrapping up english news, has stated that the book "How Obelix fell into the Magic Potion when he was a little boy" will be re-released by Orion. It is not drawn in comic form but has full page illustrations. No date has yet been given as to when it will be out.

For those that haven't read it, it is quite an interesting book and features the characters as children! Well worth the the read.