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Hachette Livre has acquired a 60% stake in Editions Albert René, publisher of the popular Astérix cartoon figure, for an undisclosed sum. It bought 40% from Astérix co-creator Albert Uderzo, which was held through Syadal, and 20% from Anne Goscinny, daughter of deceased co-creator René Goscinny.
Hachette has also acquired the worldwide literary and artistic property rights for the 24 Astérix albums that were published before Réne Goscinny died in 1977 and that have carried the Hachette brand since 1978. Albert Uderzo founded Albert René to publish the titles produced since Goscinny's death, which now total nine.
Uderzo's daughter Sylvie retained her 40% through the family holding Syadal, and told the French publishing weekly Livres Hebdo that she learned of the sale "by chance through the press". She added that she had left the company in December, after being suspended from her post of Albert René director, and that lawsuits were underway. She gave no details. Asked why Uderzo's daughter had not been bought out at the same time as the other shareholders, an Hachette Livre spokesperson said that the company had "respected the wishes of Mr Uderzo, who will continue to write Astérix books".
Isabelle Magnac, executive vice-president and chief executive of Hachette Illustrated, has been appointed manager of Albert René.