The Smurfs Movie
In February 2022, it was reported that LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (now known as Peyo Company), the owners of the Smurfs brand, had agreed to a partnership with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies to produce multiple animated Smurfs films, with the first project being a musical. Brady was attached to write the screenplay, with production set to begin later that year. By June 2022, Miller had been hired to direct the film, and by April 2023, Rihanna had joined the film as a voice actor and producer, along with writing and recording original songs. Animation services were provided by Cinesite.
The Smurfs Movie is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 18, 2025, by Paramount Pictures.
Voice cast
Attributed to the following sources:
Production
Background and development
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies had previously attempted to develop an animated Smurfs film with producer Jordan Kerner in the 2000s, until Sony Pictures Animation eventually acquired the film rights for their own live-action/CGI hybrid film in 2011, followed by a sequel in 2013 and a fully animated film, Smurfs: The Lost Village, in 2017.
In February 2022, it was reported that LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (now known as Peyo Company), the owners of the Smurfs brand, had agreed to a partnership with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies to produce multiple animated Smurfs films, with the first project being a musical. Pam Brady was attached to write the screenplay, with production set to begin later that year. In June 2022, it was announced that former DreamWorks Animation veteran Chris Miller had been hired to direct the film. In April 2023, Rihanna joined the cast of the film as Smurfette, as well as serving as a producer along with writing and recording original songs. The film's title was reported to be The Smurfs Movie, before it was later renamed as The Smurfs Musical. The title was officially revealed as The Smurfs Movie during CinemaCon in April 2024. Matt Landon served as co-director.
Casting
In April 2024, during CinemaCon, it was announced that Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman joined the voice cast.
Animation
The Smurfs Movie's animation services are being provided by Cinesite. The film's animation draws heavy influence from Peyo's original comics. The artist's drawings inspired many of the creative choices taken with the film's look, including the incorporation of action lines and comic thought bubbles, as well as "a fun and buoyant animation style, with plenty of squash and stretch."
Release
The Smurfs Movie is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 18, 2025. It was originally scheduled for release on December 20, 2024, but was pushed back to February 14, 2025, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 taking its December 2024 slot, before being delayed to its current date of July 2025.
References
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (April 27, 2023). "Rihanna Is Smurfette in Paramount Animation's 'The Smurfs Movie'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (April 11, 2024). "'The Smurfs Movie' Sets Starry Cast to Join Rihanna; Dave Bautista, Eric Nam Board 'Airbender' Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Morris, Clint (November 27, 2006). "The latest on Smurfs movie and Mighty Ducks 4". Moviehole.net. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
- ^ "First Look at the Big Screen Smurfs". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. February 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana (June 9, 2008). "Col, SPA send 'Smurfs' to bigscreen". Variety. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on February 17, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (June 11, 2024). "Rihanna's 'Smurfs Movie' Reveals First Footage and Demo Track at Annecy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 7, 2022). "'Smurfs' Heads To Nickelodeon & Paramount Animation In New Multi-Pic Deal; Pam Brady Writing New Movie; Series Picked Up For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 14, 2022). "'Smurfs' Animated Feature Musical To Be Helmed By 'Puss In Boots' Director Chris Miller". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1372 – Thursday, March 21, 2024 / 184 Listings – 43 Pages". Production Weekly. March 21, 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Sarto, Debbie Diamond (February 3, 2023). "Cinesite Tapped to Animate Upcoming Untitled 'Smurfs' Feature". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 4, 2024). "Paramount Dates & Shifts Slew For 2025: Glen Powell's Running Man, Smurfs, Naked Gun, Vicious & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 8, 2022). "Paramount Sets 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Release, Pushes Date For Smurfs Animated Musical". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
