It is one of the most anticipated films for 2022. "
Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire"
,
whose shooting begins this week on the former air base of Brétigny-sur-Orge (Essonne), will be the one of the cinematographic events of the next few months.
Last Thursday, Guillaume Canet, the director, who will also play the role of Asterix, unveiled the XXL cast of his feature film.
A prestigious list with heavyweights in the profession (Marion Cotillard, Vincent Cassel…) but also, more surprisingly, sportsmen.
The swimmer Florent Manaudou will notably be the coach of Cleopatra.
But it was especially the presence of footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic that created the big sensation.
The former PSG striker, idol of the Parc des Princes, will play the role of Antivirus, a Roman legionary who should wear the number IX on his back.
Canet explained this Sunday in the columns of the JDD why he had been seduced by the stainless Swedish player who has just made his comeback in selection at 39 years old.
pic.twitter.com/dKNJ4D6YVo
- Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) April 8, 2021
"He is Caesar's favorite centurion," Canet explains in the Journal du Dimanche.
Initially, it was called Bus shelters, but we renamed it Antivirus because it is expected and is slow to arrive, like the vaccine!
This is the idea of Yohan Baiada, the co-producer.
We were looking for someone with presence and arrogance.
I managed to contact him, it made him laugh.
And besides, he did taekwondo!
"
During his youth, Zlatan indeed practiced martial arts for a long time, in particular taekwondo.
An activity that allowed him to evacuate all his rage - he would have won his black belt at 17 - and which would be at the origin of his flexibility despite his colossus physique (1.95 m and 95 kg).
From football fields to film sets, the transition should not scare Ibra, already used to filming for commercials.
It's even a new role tailor-made for the AC Milan striker renowned for his character and ego.