LS Distribution (Mediawan group) has finalised a deal with producers Studio 58 securing worldwide distribution rights to Idefix and the Indomitables (52 x 11’), a premium Asterix-themed CGI animated kids series based on the adventures of Obelix’s beloved dog and his furry companions!
Commissioned by France Télévisions, other broadcasters already on board include M6, Super RTL Germany, Télé Québec and RTS Switzerland. For the first time ever, and marking a spin-off to the famous Asterix adventures, Idefix (a.k.a. Dogmatix) the adorable pooch featured in the legendary comic will have his very own TV series.
Based on an original idea by publishing house Editions Albert René, creators of the Asterix comic phenomenon, Idefix and the Indomitables targets kids 5-10 and is produced by Studio 58 and GMT Productions. The story is set in the year 52BC when, as we know, Lutetia (Paris) was entirely occupied by Romans. The indomitables, a group of four-legged revolutionary Gauls led by Idefix, are still fighting the town’s romanization. In the Louvre, a fortified Roman palace, General Labienus and his pet cat Monalisa must finish transforming Lutetia into a proper Roman city before they can return home to Rome, tasting victory at last. Luckily, Idefix and his furry friends don’t intend to sit back and watch it happen!
“We are delighted to join forces with Studio 58. This adorable, animated adventure is also ‘littered’ with magic and humor that will enthrall kids and families the world over!” said Emmanuelle Bouilhaguet, Managing Director, LS Distribution. “Idefix and his friends will add another incredible dimension to the amazing Asterix universe, and we are confident our buyers, some of whom may already be fans of the comics, will embrace this gem of a series.”
Studio 58 Producer Céleste Surugue added, “Idefix is an endearing nature-loving character that can also educate kids in a fun way on so many levels about ancient history, friendship, courage, respect, environmental protection, non-bullying and so much more. Bringing him to life in a dedicated series has taken the Asterix world to another level. This high-end 3D animation will have all the key ingredients based on the classic storytelling as featured in the Asterix comics plus new elements that all kids today can relate to today.”
The legendary Asterix characters were originally brought to life by cartoonists and illustrators René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo 61 years ago. Since then, the comic adventures have taken the world by storm, selling 385 million copies (each new album is printed at 5 million copies) 38 albums, and have been translated into 111 languages. Asterix has been a cinematic blockbuster with 10 animated and four live-action movies to date (with 400 million dollars taken alone for the live-action features that have been distributed in over 50 countries worldwide).
The Asterix universe also boasts a successful video games franchise since the ’80s, a wide range of on-going licensed products, as well as major theme park in France, Parc Astérix, that has attracted 160 million visitors
Fans in North America can revisit the classic comics in paperback and hardcover omnibus volumes available from publisher Papercutz.
