Asterix pulls Elon Musk through the cocoa: that is behind the scene

Asterix & amp; Obelix: The struggle of the chiefs

April 29, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

In “Asterix & Obelix: The struggle of the chiefs” is made fun of Elon Musk's “Roman greeting”. Series maker Alain Chabat explains the background to us!

On April 30, 2025, “Asterix & Obelix: The fight of the chiefs” will start at Netflix. The new “Asterix” series shines in new splendor and leads the popular cult comics from the 1960s by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo to a modern age. What remains: the socially critical and brand new humor!

In the first episode there is a joke that has it all. Around 20 years before the main story, Asterix and Obelix are still in childhood, Gaul is not yet occupied by the Romans. However, Miraculix is ​​worried about the Roman imperator and the future of Gaul.

The father of Majestix, who was chief of the Gallic village at the time, is not yet a problem of Caesar. He is of the opinion that the “Roman greeting” will certainly not be fashionable. How wrong he should be in the real world!

The “Elon-Musk-Witz” was created in front of Musk's infamous greeting

It was only in January 2025 that billionaire Elon Musk drew attention to himself with a fascist greeting with the swearing -in of US President Donald Trump – and thus almost took this right -wing radical and misanthropic gesture again. There was no punishment or any consequences.

The joke in the “Asterix” series, in which a “Roman greeting” coming in fashion, was discussed, was largely created in front of Musk's greeting and of course refers primarily to the Nazi Empire, with which Caesar's Roman empire is to be compared here.

In our exclusive interview with series maker Alain Chabat, we speak to him on chance that shortly before the start of the series, this joke will get up to date again.

The whole team and I had to laugh very much about it, and thought: 'Okay, so that is obviously still relevant!' Yes, it was funny. In a certain way. […] But yes, the joke was written much earlier because there is little room for improvisations in animation projects due to the process of creation. But it seems that it never gets old.

Alain Chabat in conversation with Netzwelt

What Chabat also emphasizes is that his jokes are political, but always only secondary ranking. “Asterix” is important for the fun and only then are there a few political statements. This is how it handled original author René Goscinny and so he holds it too.

In every comic book an eye is thrown onto society and it becomes the zeitgeist […] captured. But it is always behind the entertainment at the back. What I love because you can look and have fun, you can laugh and if you see the critical aspect, it is good, but if not, it is also good. I think that's the great talent of Goscinny.

Alain Chabat in conversation with Netzwelt

As early as 2002, Chabat made an “Asterix” film: “Asterix & Obelix: Mission Kleopatra”. It was a live action adaptation. With an animation series, he goes to new terrain for him.

All five episodes of the new “Asterix” series from Netflix will be released on April 30, 2025 at Netflix. We have an overview of all Netflix new signs!