After many rounds of negotiation, French producer Thomas Langmann has received the go ahead to make Asterix at the Olympic games, the third episode in France's hit movie franchise. The film will be codeveloped with Pathé, which financed the previous two films, and directed by Frédéric Forestier. Gerard Depardieu will return as Obelix, but Langmann is in the market for a new Asterix, as Christian Clavier will not be returning to reprise his role.

John H Williams, the producer behind Shrek has found his next project: Phreex, an animated feature based on a group of rejected lab animals. The film was written by Matt Corman and Chris Ord and is being touted to potential partners in the coming weeks. In Phreex, a group of animals set out to find their way in the world. They discover a sanctuary run by a Bill Gates-type figure that offers itself as a home to animals of all shapes and sizes. Williams described the film as a "big, broad comedy".

The year's downward spiral at the US box office has hit The Pink Panther, as film-makers fear a particularly quiet summer season. The US release date of the Steve Martin and Kevin Kline-led comedy remake has been pushed back from August 5 to February 10 next year. It is the highest profile film to be moved out of summer since the computer game-inspired Doom, planned for release in August, was lined up for October.