The Olympic Games English Dub — Asterix At
For the 2008 live-action film Asterix at the Olympic Games , an official English dub does not exist for the movie itself. While many animated Asterix films have various English dubs, the live-action entries typically only feature English subtitles. Live-Action Movie (2008)
The film is widely available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, but these versions consist of the original French audio with English subtitles. Audio: French (original). Subtitles: English.
Lead Cast: Includes Gérard Depardieu (Obelix), Clovis Cornillac (Asterix), and Alain Delon (Julius Caesar). Video Game Dub (2007/2008)
If you have heard English voices for this specific story, you likely encountered the video game adaptation, which was fully dubbed in English for platforms like the Wii, Xbox 360, and PS2. Asterix: Voiced by Leslie Clack. Obelix: Voiced by Paul Bandey. Marcus Brutus: Voiced by Matthew Géczy.
"Asterix at the Olympic Games" Movie Review - Pipeline Comics
The Ultimate Guide to Watching Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008) in English
For fans of the legendary Gaulish duo, finding a high-quality English version of the 2008 live-action epic Asterix at the Olympic Games ( Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques asterix at the olympic games english dub
) can feel like trying to win a chariot race without magic potion. This star-studded film brings the beloved comics to life with a mix of slapstick humor, massive sets, and a truly bizarre list of celebrity cameos. Is there an English Dub?
Yes, an English dub exists for this film, and it is widely available on major digital platforms. While many purists prefer the original French audio with English subtitles to capture the nuanced performances of stars like Alain Delon (Julius Caesar) and Gérard Depardieu (Obelix), the dub remains a popular choice for family movie nights with younger viewers. Where to Watch in English
Depending on your region, you can find the movie on several streaming and rental platforms: Watch Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques | Disney+
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
If you’re a hardcore Asterix comic purist, you might cringe. The film alters the original story significantly, and the English dub changes names and puns liberally. But if you’re looking for a lighthearted, visually colorful, and genuinely funny family movie—complete with a wrestling match, a CGI-boosted Olympic stadium, and a druid who mixes potions like a mad bartender—then the English dub of Asterix at the Olympic Games is an underrated gem.
It won’t win any Oscars. But it will make you laugh when Obelix shouts, “These Greeks are crazy! They run naked and call it sport!”—and that, dear reader, is exactly what the indomitable Gauls would have wanted.
Have you watched the Asterix at the Olympic Games English dub? Share your favorite dubbed line in the comments below! For the 2008 live-action film Asterix at the
Here’s a helpful blog post tailored for someone searching for the English dub of Asterix at the Olympic Games.
Brutus – Voiced by Michael Phelps
In one of the most bizarre casting choices in animation dubbing history, Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps voices the villainous Brutus. While Phelps is an incredible athlete, acting is not his strong suit. His delivery is often flat and monotone, lacking the sniveling, entitled arrogance that the character requires. It’s a novelty that wears off quickly. The saving grace? He doesn't have a huge amount of dialogue.
The Bad: Asynchronous Recording
Here’s where the dub falters. Because the film was shot in French, the English voice actors had to match the lip movements of the live-action performers. Unfortunately, the timing is often off. There are numerous scenes where the voice stops, but the actor’s mouth is still moving, or vice versa. This is especially noticeable with Sean Astin’s Asterix, who often speaks faster or slower than Clovis Cornillac’s lip flaps. It gives the film a cheap, "dubbed martial arts movie" feel in places.
Asterix – Voiced by Sean Astin
Yes, Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings is the voice of Asterix. Sean Astin brings an earnest, high-energy enthusiasm to the role. While his American accent is a departure from the traditionally French or British voice fans might expect, Astin’s performance is surprisingly fitting. He captures Asterix’s cleverness and short-fused bravery. However, purists often note he lacks the slightly cynical, sharp edge of the original French voice.
Asterix at the Olympic Games English Dub: A Complete Guide to the Gaulish Champion’s English Voice
For decades, the tiny, mustachioed Gaulish warrior Asterix and his obese, super-strong best friend Obelix have been a cornerstone of European comic book culture. Created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, the series’ blend of historical satire, slapstick comedy, and clever wordplay has been translated into over 100 languages. However, one adaptation has consistently sparked debate, confusion, and a fair share of cult appreciation: the 2008 live-action/CGI hybrid film, Asterix at the Olympic Games, and more specifically, its controversial English dub.
While many fans prefer the original French or German versions, the English dub of Asterix at the Olympic Games is a unique artifact. It is a film caught between two worlds: a beloved European comic strip and an attempt to break into the Anglophone market with a Hollywood-style voice cast. But does it succeed? And is the English dub worth tracking down? Let’s dive into the history, the cast, the controversies, and the final verdict of the Asterix at the Olympic Games English dub. Have you watched the Asterix at the Olympic
4. Cultural Flattening: From Satire to Slapstick
The original Astérix films balance lowbrow slapstick (punching Romans) with highbrow satire (mocking bureaucracy, consumerism, and colonialism). The 2008 film’s English dub systematically reduces the latter.
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Brutus’s Oedipal complex: In French, Brutus’s obsession with his mother is treated as dark, psychological comedy. In English, the same lines are delivered with a campy, almost pantomime villain tone, reducing complexity to mere villainy.
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The Olympic ideal: The film critiques the commercialization of the Olympics (even in 48 BC). The English dub turns this into generic jokes about "corrupt officials," whereas the French original specifically names contemporary French scandals (e.g., the Clearstream affair, then-recent news). The dub’s references are vaguer, thus less sharp.
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Asterix and Obelix’s voices: The original French voices (Clovis Cornillac as Asterix, Gérard Depardieu as Obelix) are not dubbed; the actors performed in French. For the English dub, Asterix is voiced by Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) and Obelix by Brad Garrett (Robert Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond). Astin’s boyish earnestness works decently, but Garrett’s deep, world-weary American baritone strips Obelix of his childlike, petulant French peasant quality. Garrett sounds like a large American man complaining; Depardieu sounds like a sentimental giant.
5. Critical and Audience Reception
The English dub was released directly to DVD in most English-speaking markets (US, UK, Australia) in 2009, bypassing theaters. Critical reception was poor:
- DVD Verdict: "The English dub sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon from 1992, complete with anachronistic slang (‘dude,’ ‘no way’)."
- Amazon user reviews (aggregated): 2.5/5 stars, with many stating "watch the French version with subtitles." Common complaints include: "Brad Garrett is just playing Ray Romano’s brother again" and "The puns are terrible."
By contrast, the French version (with English subtitles) holds a 6.3/10 on IMDb (user rating), while the English dub is not separately rated but is consistently derided in comments.