Asterix and the Vikings Teaser

While Disney have given up on hand drawn animated film, A. Film A/S, an animation studio from Denmark is still keeping the spirit alive with “Asterix and the Vikings” (or "Asterix et les Vikings" in french). Based on the hugely popular comic book character by Albert Uderzo and the late René Goscinny, this will be Europe´s most ambitious and expensive animated feature film to date with a cost of 22 million euro (US$25 million). The english voice cast includes Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Brad Garrett (TV's "Everyone Loves Raymond"), Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen), and Greg Proops (American improv show "Whose line is it anyway?".) Here is the synopsis found here:

In the book Asterix and the Normans a group of fearless Viking Warriors travels to Asterix's village in a quest to discover the meaning of fear, as they had heard that fear gives you wings. Unfortunately, it just so happened that the Gaulish Village fear only one thing, that the sky may fall on their heads, and the Vikings are out of luck. That is until they encounter Vitalstatistix's cowardly young nephew, Justforkix....

This is where the film deviates from the book, specifically developing " the Nordic aspects of the storyline". The Vikings abduct Justforkix and bring him back to their homeland. Asterix and Obelix must travel to the icy Norway to rescue him. At one point in the movie, Asterix and Obelix have to disguise themselves as Vikings

Most of you living in North America are probably unfamiliar with Asterix. That is because there wasn't any exposure for this comic here. In Europe, it’s been a phenomenon for over 40 years where the comics strip has been translated and sold in many countires. An animated and live action movies have been adapted from this comic, including another live action currently in production with expected release date set in 2007.

It will be release in France and Belgium in April 2006.

Official Asterix website
Teaser (Windows Media)
Teaser (Real Player embedded)
Four photo and poster art

Source: www.asterix.co.nz, www.allocine.fr