Christian Clavier, the actor best known for his portrayal of Astérix in Astérix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, has spoken candidly about his mixed feelings regarding the film and why he ultimately chose not to reprise the role. While the 2002 film was a massive success, becoming a benchmark for live-action adaptations of the beloved comic series, Clavier’s experience wasn’t entirely positive.
The film, directed by Alain Chabat, brought together a stellar cast including Gérard Depardieu as Obélix and Jamel Debbouze as the architect Numérobis. It garnered approximately 14.55 million admissions in France, exceeding the numbers of its predecessor. Despite this commercial triumph, Clavier has revealed a sense of unease surrounding the production.
In a 2019 interview with BFM TV, as reported by multiple sources, Clavier suggested a potential disconnect between his own vision for the character and Chabat’s approach. “You ask me what I felt… I don’t know if the director really wanted to make the film with me,” he stated, adding, “You ask me what I felt and I think there was some of that.”
The actor described the atmosphere on set as resembling a “Canal+ holiday camp” rather than a traditional film shoot, referencing the French television network known for its comedic output. He noted the lengthy waits for special effects shots, where he would spend hours simply delivering a single line of dialogue. However, he also emphasized the positive influence of his co-star, Gérard Depardieu. “Fortunately, I had Gérard Depardieu as a companion, with whom I had deep conversations,” he said.
Clavier’s initial foray into the world of Astérix, in Astérix and Obélix Against Caesar directed by Claude Zidi, was already a complex undertaking. He found the character inherently difficult to portray, noting that there wasn’t much to “play” in the role itself. Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction with the success of both films and the enduring partnership he formed with Depardieu.
Despite his experience with Mission Cléopâtre, Clavier definitively closed the door on future appearances as Astérix. In an interview with Brut in April 2025, he explained his decision: “I did two, and I thought, I’m not going to make a ‘Sicav’ of Astérix for years.” (A “Sicav” is a type of French investment fund, implying he didn’t want to endlessly repeat the same role.) He acknowledged the difficulty of successfully adapting the Astérix stories, praising Chabat’s work on Mission Cléopâtre and Zidi’s more faithful adaptation of the original comics.
He also highlighted the importance of his chemistry with Depardieu, stating that their contrasting personalities – Astérix as the reasonable one and Obélix as the more eccentric – were crucial to the films’ success.
Interestingly, Clavier was open to revisiting the role for a project titled Astérix in Hispania, which was to be directed by Gérard Jugnot. He described the script as “formidable,” but the project was ultimately rejected by Albert Uderzo, the co-creator of the Astérix comics, who felt it deviated too far from the spirit of the original series.
The subsequent film, Astérix at the Olympic Games, while commercially successful with 7 million admissions, did not achieve the same level of critical acclaim or cultural impact as Mission Cléopâtre.
Despite stepping away from live-action portrayals, Clavier continues to lend his voice to the character in animated Astérix films, demonstrating a continued affection for the iconic Gaul. His reflections offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a beloved franchise, revealing the complexities and nuances of bringing a comic book legend to life on the big screen.
Astérix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra and Astérix and Obélix Against Caesar are currently available for streaming.
