While we get all revved up over the revival of Speed Racer in film form, our funny friends in France are gearing up for the remake of their own children's classic, Asterix. The new film, which opens in French theaters next month, is slated to feature cameos by a number of sports figures, including Ferrari stars Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt.
Set in the ancient Roman era, Asterix is a classic series of French children's comic books which has been translated into dozens of languages around the world. The film which, like Speed Racer, is shot with live actors (rather than animated like the original), is called Asterix aux jeux olympiques ("Asterix at the Olympic Games"). Schumacher appears in a seven-minute segment in the movie as a chariot racer called – you guessed it – Schumix, while Todt gives orders from the pit wall...dressed in red, of course. (Hopefully the German authorities won't give Michael a hard time about driving the chariot this time.)
In addition to the Ferrari champions, several other European sports celebrities make cameos in the movie as well, including French tennis player Amelie Mauresmo, retired French soccer player Zinedine Zidane (of World Cup head-butting infamy) and British footballer David Beckham. This is, of course, the second such cameo Schumacher has made, after his appearance in Disney/Pixar's Cars.
[Source: F1-Live]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Guenther @ Dec 21st 2007 9:02AM
I remember reading these growing up. I'd be surprised if I couldn't dig up all 24 original issues (the ones Goscinni wrote) at my Parent's house. I grew up with the German translations, which were brilliant, every people in their dialect, except for the American natives (who spoke in pictures) and the Romans, with their Latin utterings. If you've never had the enjoyment of these, read them- in order. Cheers, and Merry Christmas.
Tom @ Dec 21st 2007 9:25AM
Asterix is awesome
ello @ Dec 21st 2007 9:39AM
Having been born and raised in Europe, I used to love those French Asterix&Obelix cartoons, definately was much better than all that Pokemon crap kids get this days...
JusForKix @ Dec 21st 2007 9:55AM
I grew up in India reading the british translations - really hilarious. I was fairly surprised to find them in the bookstores here in the US as well. A must read.
Mobius_1 @ Dec 21st 2007 10:04AM
Best comics I ever read... I kinda want to see that movie too!!!
Rand race @ Dec 21st 2007 11:25AM
Nothing beats the Schumi "cameo" in the anime Yakitate Japan!. The anime is about baking bread (sounds lame, but it is gut-bustingly funny) and the main character has to bake a bread for F1 drivers, most notably "Schukappa" who is an insane parody of Schumaker, Initial D and Japanese vampires (Kappa*).
* Kappas have a bowl shaped depression in their heads to hold water (which Kappas must always be in contact with) and Schukappa learned to drive so well by delivering brats in a 300SL without spilling his water.
Pat @ Dec 21st 2007 5:32PM
I can't wait for this to come in Québec this spring ... the other recent Astérix & Obélix flicks have been awesome.
In the meantime, those of us fortunate (!) enough to have TéléQuébec can watch the old animated movies throughout the holidays.
Mrs Gail j Gray @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:16AM
I cant wait to see this film Michael Schumacher is a great formula 1 driver he is awesome in front of the cameras i hope he will be in some more films and be in them a bit longer, GO SCHUMI GO FOR IT.