Astérix and Obélix: Empire of the Middle – Was It Really Filmed in China? Netflix Reveals!

Released in theaters in February 2023, “Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom” attracted 4.6 million viewers and is now available on Netflix. The project faced numerous challenges before its completion, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted Guillaume Canet’s plans.

Exploring Chinese Opportunities

Initially, the director, along with producer Alain Attal, made several trips to China to meet potential co-producers and scout locations for filming. However, Canet quickly realized that governmental censorship would pose a significant issue. He mentioned in the film’s press kit, “There were many aspects of the script that the authorities didn’t like, especially the humor.”

“For instance, we couldn’t even mention pandas! I felt it would be challenging, especially as the diplomatic situation worsened with the Uighur tragedy. I couldn’t see us attending official screenings, taking photos, bringing actors, etc., essentially being held hostage in such a context…”

“Eventually, it became clear to all of us that we had to drop the Chinese option and make the film in France, which I believe was a very brave decision by Pathé and the producers. Indeed, we carried out everything here, from sets to costumes, special effects, studios, and outdoor scenes in Auvergne,” he recalled.

Recreating China in France

The film team built extensive sets at the famous Bry-sur-Marne studio in Val-de-Marne. Notably, a Shanghai street was meticulously recreated by the production team. Guillaume Canet was equipped with a substantial budget of 60 million Euros to bring the new adventures of the beloved Gauls to life.

Following the Bry studios, the production moved to the old air base in Brétigny-sur-Orge, Essonne, transformed into a vast 20-hectare outdoor studio. This site was perfect for recreating Silk Road encampments, the iconic Gaulish village, and its feast.

Filming continued on the Guéry plateau in Puy-de-Dôme, a high-altitude plain selected for a key scene in the film: the great battle in front of the Deng palace, where the empress is held captive.

Another advantage of the region was its proximity to Clermont-Ferrand, home to a significant Chinese community, which facilitated the recruitment of 400 extras needed for this large-scale sequence.

“Apocalypse Now wasn’t filmed in Vietnam. Creating illusions is the magic of cinema. We have the technical means, digital special effects. We can recreate Chinese settings. Plus, we collaborated with Chinese advisors for artistic direction, kung-fu scenes, and even the smallest props. Nothing was left to chance,” Canet explained in an interview with L’Obs.

Apocalypse Now wasn’t filmed in Vietnam. Creating illusions is the magic of cinema. We have the technical means, digital special effects.

To set the scene, the story takes us back to 50 BC. The Empress of China is imprisoned following a coup d’état orchestrated by Deng Tsin Quin, a treacherous prince.

With the help of Graindemaïs, the Phoenician merchant, and her loyal warrior Tat Han, Princess Fu Yi, the empress’s only daughter, flees to Gaul to seek assistance from the two valiant warriors, Asterix and Obelix, who possess superhuman strength thanks to their magic potion.

Our inseparable Gauls, of course, agree to help the Princess save her mother and free her country. And thus, they embark on a grand adventure to China. Meanwhile, Caesar and his powerful army, ever eager for conquest, set their sights on the Middle Kingdom as well…