Ciudad studio set to host 'Olympics'

French blockbuster will lens at Spain's mega studio

By JOHN HOPEWELL

Spain's 10-week-old mega studio, Alicante's Ciudad de la Luz, will host the shoot of "Asterix at the Olympic Games," the third pic in the franchise and the first big-budget international production to roll at the studio.

Produced by Thomas Langemann's La Petite Reine with financing and distribution from Pathe, pic is budgeted at a reported E78 million ($92 million).

It toplines Clovis Cornillac, who takes over as Asterix from Christian Clavier, while Gerard Depardieu reprises his role as Obelix.

"Asterix" will shoot from May to December at the Ciudad and nearby locations. Per Valencia regional authorities, "Asterix" will leave some $33 million in Spain.

Since opening its first six sound stages in October the Ciudad has hosted Spanish period comedy "La dama boba" and the English/Spanish-language U.K.-Spain co-production "Arritimia."

Further productions inked to shoot there include Antonio Banderas' second outing as a director, "El camino de los Ingleses," and the Paz Vega mystic saint portrait "Teresa."

The Ciudad de la Luz is still awaiting building permission on the jewel in its crown, a water-tank overlooking the Mediterranean.