Asterix and Obelix: The Big Fight Brings Timeless Classic to Life with Modern Twist
The iconic characters of Asterix and Obelix, created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, have found a new home at TAT Productions Studio in Toulouse, France. The studio, located in the south of France’s "Pink City," has produced a new animated adaptation of Asterix and Obelix: The Big Fight, directed by Alain Chabat and Fabrice Joubert. The miniseries, produced by Alain Goldman, aims to bring the beloved characters to a wider audience while staying true to the original material.
According to an interview with Animation Magazine, the co-directors faced the challenge of making a new animated Asterix for a modern audience. "We’ve had to respect the original material but also define our own universe with an objective to push the talent and knowledge of the team at TAT," said Aurélien Predal, production designer. Predal, who previously worked on the 2014 CGI movie Across the Spider-Verse and Ron’s Gone Wrong, brought his expertise in art direction to the project.
The new adaptation of Asterix and Obelix: The Big Fight takes inspiration from the golden age of Asterix, which, for Chabat and Joubert, is situated between Asterix the Gladiator (1964) and Asterix at the Olympic Games (1968). The team aimed to emulate this style in some sequences of the series, integrating splashes of onomatopoeia and paying homage to the original character designs. As Joubert explained to Animation Magazine, "It was during this period that the characters really took on their definitive form, and Uderzo, graphically, dared to experiment further."
The characters are built as 3D models in ZBrush, with constant reference to the original character designs for accuracy. The models are then rigged and tested for imperfections, with Adobe Substance used to digitally paint the 3D models. The lighting and rendering are set up in 3D Studio Max, with Chaos V-Ray used for rendering. The team worked tirelessly to ensure that the animation was of the highest quality, with each texture created by a separate artist and every detail, from the leather and fabrics to the fuzziness of the skin, meticulously crafted.
The project brought together a team of experienced professionals, including animation director and supervisor Kristof Serrand, who has worked on numerous DreamWorks animated films. Serrand’s experience with the Asterix characters dates back to the 2D-animated Asterix movies, including the original Asterix and the Big Fight adaptation released in 1989. The legacy of the characters and the studios involved runs deep, with Chabat having worked on the live-action Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002) and Joubert having worked as a stop-motion animator on Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005).
As reported by Animation Magazine, TAT’s co-CEO David Alaux noted that "Everyone stepped up, learning from the best in town … In some ways, it was like going back to school." The project came about when Chabat wrote a treatment of The Big Fight for fun, which was later developed into a miniseries with the support of Netflix.
Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, April 30. The miniseries promises to bring a fresh take on the classic characters, with a unique blend of humor, satire, and stunning animation. As Chabat concluded to Animation Magazine, "Writing around the Asterix universe is always a pleasure for me." With its talented team, stunning animation, and faithful adaptation of the original material, Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight is set to delight audiences of all ages.
The series is a testament to the enduring legacy of Asterix and Obelix, who have been entertaining readers for generations. The characters were first introduced in the Franco-Belgian comic magazine Pilote on 29 October 1959, and have since become a cultural phenomenon. The new adaptation is a welcome addition to the Asterix franchise, and is sure to delight both old and new fans of the series.
In conclusion, Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight is a must-watch for fans of the classic comic book series. With its talented team, stunning animation, and faithful adaptation of the original material, it is a worthy addition to the Asterix franchise. The miniseries will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, April 30, and is not to be missed.
The making of Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight is a story of passion, dedication, and creativity. The team at TAT Productions Studio has outdone themselves, bringing the beloved characters to life in a way that is both authentic and innovative. As the series premieres on Netflix, fans around the world will be able to experience the magic of Asterix and Obelix in a whole new way.
The attention to detail in the animation is impressive, with each character and setting meticulously crafted to bring the world of Asterix to life. The use of 3D modeling and animation allows for a level of depth and realism that is not possible in traditional animation. The result is a visually stunning series that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Overall, Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight is a triumphant achievement that is sure to please both old and new fans of the series. With its talented team, stunning animation, and faithful adaptation of the original material, it is a worthy addition to the Asterix franchise.
