‘I have nothing left’: How Mission Cleopatra saved Gerard Darmon’s career

More than 20 years after the release of Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, it’s impossible to imagine any other actor than Gerard Darmon in the suit of Amonbophis, the arch-rival of numbers trying his best to put a spoke in the wheel. means.

This deliciously treacherous character, complete with a long green dress, a small goatee and anthology lines, is one of the most important figures in the adaptation of Alain Chabat’s famous comics today.

However, as Gerard Darmon recently revealed on the microphone of the show Entertainment BushIn the 100 pages of the original screenplay planned by Chabat, Amonbofis only had three lines.

As for Darmon, before the start of production on Mission Cléopâtre, he was in a particularly delicate financial situation and even wanted to quit acting:

“I didn’t shoot for two or three years, I didn’t want to do this job anymore, I didn’t want to. (…) I had no more wheat, nothing at all. I went to see Chabat, he told me “P *****, I didn’t think about you in the case”.– said the actor.

And to add that he finally got the role and that Alain Chabat fleshed out the character “day by day” During filming, it goes so far as to improvise sequences that are now legendary, such as the duel against Jamel Debussy or the famous “No palace, no palace“.

While shooting his scenes in Morocco, in the costume of Amonbofis, Gérard Darmon humorously confides that he also had to deal with financial problems from afar:

“I’m in the middle of the desert, the phone rings between two takes. They tell me in Paris: “There are bailiffs at your house, they sealed it. Fortunately, they like you, so when you come, we will. I’ll get some sweaters.”

So Gerard Darmon did not reveal anything about the difficulties against his teammates, so he took advantage of the adventure and especially the duet with Jamel.

As we know, the story ends well, since its release in cinemas in 2002, Mission Cléopâtre has recorded more than 14 million admissions in France, making it the 11th biggest hit in France.

(Re)discover all the hidden details of the movie…