Over 50 Years Ago, French Cinema Legend Wanted to Play Asterix with One Condition!

Christian Clavier, Clovis Cornillac, Edouard Baer, Guillaume Canet… and not to forget the voice actors who have brought the beloved pint-sized Gaul created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo to life, several French actors have donned Asterix’s iconic mustache and feathered helmet.

• “It’s dreadful, we don’t want it”: 58 years ago, the creators of Asterix demanded the destruction of this animated film

“We were very proud to have lunch with him”

However, long before the first live-action adaptation of the legendary comic in 1999, an iconic figure from French cinema had almost clinched the role initially. As Uderzo shared with us during a 2014 interview, Louis de Funès himself showed interest in the character in the mid-1960s.

“We had lunch with Louis de Funès because he had asked us about the possibility of making a film with Asterix. So, we were very proud to dine with him because he’s an extraordinary figure, in life as in his films”, the author and illustrator of Asterix recounted.

“At times he would hold back, but then at times, it would come out, and it felt like he was in one of his films. I had him right across the table from me, and it was an incredible moment.”

“He wanted the lead role, but without the mustache”

Despite this unforgettable encounter, the collaboration did not materialize between the creators of the little Gaul and the famed comedic actor, for a very specific reason.

“It didn’t work out because he wanted to play Asterix, of course, he wanted the lead role, but without the mustache”, Uderzo continued.

“He was worried he wouldn’t be recognized. We told him, ‘You know, without the mustache, it would distort the character. People wouldn’t understand.’ And then it didn’t work out for other reasons. But initially, it was his idea.”

Obviously, whether one is a fan of Asterix, Louis de Funès, or both, it’s hard not to think back on this missed opportunity without a bit of sadness, wondering what an adaptation of the legendary comic starring Louis de Funès would have looked like. Especially since rumors suggest that Lino Ventura would have played Obelix.

(Re)discover our video dedicated to Asterix…