Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra 2002

Infuriated by belittlements, Cleopatra, Monica Bellucci, makes a deal with Julius Caesar, Alain Chabat. If the Egyptians can build a palace at Alexandria in three months, larger than Caesar’s palace in Rome, Caesar must acknowledge that Egypt is the greatest nation on earth. To accomplish this, Cleopatra hires the architect Numerobis, on pain of death, and much to the dismay of Cleopatra’s usual architect Pyradonis Gérard Darmon (Amonbofils in the French version). He and his secretary Papyris discuss the druid Getafix, Claude Rich whose potion empowers its drinkers, and Numerobis sets off for the task.

Numerobis arrives in Gaul and persuades Getafix to join him on the journey to Alexandria. Once they arrive, they use the druid’s magic potion to speed up the construction, with Cleopatra’s permission. Pyradonis realises he must thwart the plan and tries sabotage: getting Asterix, Christian Clavier and Obelix, Gérard Depardieu, along with Getafix, lost in a pyramid, or framing them for an attempted assassination of Cleopatra. After a string of failures, Pyradonis finally decides to inform Caesar about the potion’s existence and Cleopatra’s potential victory.

Caesar, long wary of the Gauls, decides to besiege the construction site until Asterix, Obelix and Getafix surrender. Numerobis, Papyris and the Gauls defend the site and inform Cleopatra of Caesar’s actions. In a dramatic turn, Pyradonis and Numerobis, after drinking the potion, duel on the battlefield until Numerobis defeats him. Cleopatra arrives to rebuke Caesar’s sportsmanship, and the Romans are forced to pause the siege and help complete the palace on schedule.

The palace is inaugurated, and Caesar acknowledges Egypt as the greatest empire. Numerobis pockets a handsome reward, Getafix receives manuscripts from the Library of Alexandria, and all the protagonists celebrate at a grand banquet, sharing stories with some of the movie’s Roman antagonists.