Live action Smurfs coming!

[Raph's Girl]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117987167.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation are bringing a live-action/animated "Smurfs" project to the bigscreen.

Sony obtained film rights to the blue-colored characters from Lafig Belgium via Jordan Kerner ("Charlotte's Web"), who is producing. David Stem and David Weiss, who wrote the second and third installments in the "Shrek" franchise, are in negotiations to pen the screenplay.

Kerner secured film rights to the Smurfs property in 2002 and had been developing a 3-D CGI feature at Paramount/Nickelodeon, which has an option to co-finance the Columbia/SPA incarnation and distribute internationally. The Melrose studio has yet to make a decision on its role in the film.

Best known in the United States for the long-running Hanna-Barbera cartoon, the Smurfs were created in 1958 by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, known throughout the world as Peyo. The Smurfs, originally called "Les Schtroumpfs" in French, were created for a Belgian series of comic books, first as minor characters. The villagers, known for their blue skin and small statures, spawned a line of statuettes, games, toys, theme parks and a hit TV series, which ran as part of NBC's Saturday-morning lineup from 1981-90.

Kerner said the genesis of the current project began during a holiday conversation with Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman-CEO Michael Lynton, who grew up with "Les Schtroumpfs" in the Netherlands. "He relished them as I do and suggested that it should be a live-action/CG film," he said. "(Studio topper) Amy (Pascal) felt equally that there was potentially a series of films in the making."

Kerner has been working closely on the project with Lafig CEO Hendrik Coysman and Veronique Culliford, the daughter of Peyo.

"Smurfs" marks SPA's first hybrid film -- a subgenre that proved popular given the success of 20th Century Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks" -- and is the first project to go into development since Hannah Minghella was named prexy of production for the division in April. SPE digital production prexy Bob Osher said the studio plans to rely on SPA for the film's character animation, and Imageworks -- which was recently taken off the sale block -- for its visual effects.

"The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises, and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world," Columbia co-president Doug Belgrad said. "We're very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other smurftastic Smurfs in all of their 'three-apple-tall' glory."

Sony will launch a licensing effort around the classic Smurfs characters at this year's Licensing Show beginning today in New York.

Ben Haber will oversee the development of the script for Kerner Entertainment. Haber and Paul Neesan are exec producing the film.

Stem and Weiss' credits also include "The Rugrats Movie" and "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius."

I wonder who'll play Gargamel???

[Hannah]

This makes me want to spew sh*t out of my mouth.

[Mecha Cow]

What.

No, seriously. What.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Wonder if their village will include antiaircraft defenses this time? :lol:

[VaughnMichael]

Childhood = raped end of story ah good day and I thank you.:lol:

[Toonami Tom]

I totally predicted this was going to happen in my mind a few weeks ago.:o

[Jo Dawn]

Well, at least they should get the same guy to do Brainy Smurf. I always liked him. It's funny, I just 'heard' him on Robot Chicken... Playing Brainy.

[Drtooth]

So the Good Paramount/Nick films one isn't happening, or what? This one doesn't sound half as good as it was originally. They even had preliminary CGI mockups of the characters (and you guys would have been pleased. They LOOKED like the original Smurfs).

I heard about this film years ago, and I wonder if it's going the same route, or we're getting something different in a bad way.

I actually heard a story about this on the news, but they said something about casting is yet to be dealt with.

John Lithgow was pencilled in to play Gargamel (and I think he'd do an excellent job). If they get someone higher up on the A-list who would be terrible (and no doubt they would).

It was mentioned in the news they were thinking Alec Baldwin as Papa Smurf, but I can't tell if that was a joke or a threat. We need someone who SOUNDS like Don Messick (Billy West, maybe?)

[poiuytre]

The idea of a live action smurf kind of frightens me. :|

[Spitfire]

Because Flintstones was a huuuuge success...

[gobo]

This sounds like a made-for-tv project. Of course, so does DBZ...

[Peanut]

Because Flintstones was a huuuuge success...

What was wrong with the first Flintstones movie? It always seemed pretty well done to me. It was entertaining as hell when I was younger.

Anyways, how the f*ck do you even make a live-action Smurfs movie?

[Drtooth]

What was wrong with the first Flintstones movie? It always seemed pretty well done to me. It was entertaining as hell when I was younger.

I felt both Flintstones movies were well done. The first more so than the second, and the casting was a bit iffy. But I feel that the Flintstones, Popeye and Speed Racer (yes, Speed Racer) showed you can make a film that looks like their cartoon world, and not some budget DTV. Bullwinkle would have been gold, had they made the movie take place in their own world (I'd have loved to see them make the flat buildings in 3-D)

Anyways, how the f*ck do you even make a live-action Smurfs movie?

Uhmmm... make the Smurfs CGI's, and make the human folk live action, as is their plan?

There was some early test models floating around. I don't know if they're still going to use them (they'll be barking mad if they don't!), but they were true to the original Smurfy feel. They were not half cartoon half animal hybrids like Scooby Doo, Garfield, or the Chipmunks (which ironically, look more like their initial album cover concepts than any of their animated appearances).

[Ra]

Anyways, how the f*ck do you even make a live-action Smurfs movie?
With tons of blue paint, I would imagine. Either that or...yeah, CGI.

The Smurfs scared the crap out of me as a kid, so I think I'll pass on this one. Although the thought of actors wearing nothing but white hats and pants while being painted blue is an extremely hilarious concept in my mind.

[Mandi-chan]

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, wait....

They're really gonna do this.

:|

:lol::lol::lol::roll:

[Raph's Girl]

Guys...It's a hybrid movie. Meaning the smurfs themselves will be 1 foot tall CGI creatures.

Cuz we definatly don't want this:

http://sp1.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m1/2012451765

[Ra]

So no famous actors being smeared in blue paint? That's lame. :(

[Raph's Girl]

So no famous actors being smeared in blue paint? That's lame. :(

What?? U sure you want this?:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/1355945637_425884fe25.jpg

or this?:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2255367468_8cb71a4e5b.jpg

[Raphael_]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA



.....

....


BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

You gotta be kiddin me.

[MrPliggins]

Well, at least they should get the same guy to do Brainy Smurf. I always liked him. It's funny, I just 'heard' him on Robot Chicken... Playing Brainy.

Wasn't Brainy Smurf the same voice as OT Donatello, Barry Gordon? I was about 5 when I watched Smurfs, so I may be wrong.

[Ra]

Yep. I think that was him. Him and Danny Goldman.
What?? U sure you want this?:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/1355945637_425884fe25.jpg

or this?:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2255367468_8cb71a4e5b.jpg
Hell yes! You can't have a good live action Smurf's movie without the Smurfs looking like these guys. :lol:

[gobo]

Make up your mind. :x "Live action Smurfs coming!" doesn't imply that anything about CGI is involved.

[Raph's Girl]

Make up your mind. :x "Live action Smurfs coming!" doesn't imply that anything about CGI is involved.

Read the article. It's a hybrid movie. Meaning that the Smurfs are CGI but everyone else is live action, like the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie or "Transformers"

[gobo]

It's all good. I'm just pointing out that I'm not the only one to jump to that conclusion because of the misleading thread title.

[The Stryker]

Eh, I'll wait until something actually comes out before I pass judgement.

I enjoyed that Rocky & Bullwinkle movie awhile back for some strange reason.

[Drtooth]

I enjoyed that Rocky & Bullwinkle movie awhile back for some strange reason.

I did too. It takes a lot of undeserved heat, yes. I agree they made some odd conceptual choices, and that girl spy that tags allong with them was the major fault of the film... but they WERE Rocky and Bullwinkle, cracking jokes, puns, and confusing Washington the city with Washington the president (recurring gag).

But then check out Dudley Do-Right. That was a disaster. Dudley himself couldn't have screwed it up any worse.


I hope we don't wind up hearing famous A and B list celeb voices coming out of the mouths of the Smurfs. One of the reasons I liked Bullwinkle was the Moose and Squirrel used voice actors. June Foray still played Rocky, while voice actor Keith Scott (oddly enough, no relation to Bill Scott) handled the Moose (all the while writing a book on the history of Jay Ward).

I wanna hear any avaiable voice actor and actress from the 80's series. I know we'd have to get a replacement for Don Messick, and I don't know if Hamilton Camp is still around.... but definately June Foray, and I'm sure Lucile Bliss is still out there.

As long as they don't do that thing they did in the other Smurf film where they all had the same odd voice.

[Raph's Girl]

Be afraid...be very afraid:

http://www.pvcblue.com/wall/smurfsmovie.jpg

http://www.pvcblue.com/news.htm

Coming Christmas 2010, the Smurf Movie (also know as Smurfs 3D) will feature 3D animation and live actors by Sony Pictures Animation Inc. and Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.. The movie is currently in pre-production phase and is set to be the first of three. Directing credit currently lists Raja Gosnell. The screenplay is by David Stem and David Weiss with Audrey Wells "polishing." Jordan Kerner is the film's producer. Ben Haber executive producer along with Paul Neesan.

[Cure]

Be afraid of what? He looks adorable.

[ZariusTwo]

Scarface reference plugging a Smurfs film. What's not to like?

[Mecha Cow]

Is that real? I don't know what the budget is on this thing but that doesn't look too amazing.

[Raph's Girl]

Well after a year of not hearing anything about this film there's some news! Seems the film's actually in pre-production (supposadly now out next Summer) in NYC.

http://www.ugo.com/movies/exclusive-first-look-the-smurfs-character-design

And SUPPOSADLY the following image is what they'll look like (unlike that poster from last year):
http://mimg.ugo.com/201002/35990/leaked-smurf.jpg

(The poster since it's dissapeared from the previous site. What with it saying coming Winter 2010 and all)
http://www.ugo.com/movies/the-smurfs-first-poster-appears

[Candy Kappa]

looks more fitting to a full CG movie rather than a hybrid

[Raph's Girl]

Neil Patrick Harris has been cast as the lead live action character (human?) in the Smurf's movie. Doesn't say who tho. Altho the article below says he's a Smurf. Im not even sure if Gargamel is even in the movie since the plot involves the Smurfs in the 21st century. Filming starts in April.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/03/neil-patrick-harris-will-be-smurf/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium

[Cure]

Holy sh*t. Dr. Horrible as Gargamel would be awesome.

[Luzmagica]

Just add this comentary... Smurfs are "Pitufos" in Spanish...and they are still very popular ...This movie will be a new wave of blue merchandasing ....:)
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3712/1pitufos301.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/1pitufos301.jpg/)

[Spacebabie]

Smurfs in the 21st century? Does that mean there will be a Emo Smurf?

[BoggleKng]

maybe they will use the Avatar technology... I heard that the same studio is going to do a Tintin movie..

[Krutch]

This live adaptation is going to be darker, grittier, and filmed in 3D.

[the fixer]

It's still weird to me that The Smurfs and Tintin, both cultural icons from Belgium, are finally hitting the silver screen...
Well, actually they both have for years, but not in such a big way!

I've read that Kate Perry is rumored to be in talks for the voice of Smurfette... Can't say I'm particulary thrilled with that. Reminds me of Avril Lavigne doing that voice in Over The Hedge... It's clearly to drag a teen audience to the theater.

Oh- the same article stated that Alan 'Nightcrawler' Cumming is voicing 'Gutsy Smurf'. Don't even know which smurf that is.
Oh well, at least Cumming has experience portraying a blue-skinned character...

[Spacebabie]

I don't remember a Gutsy smurf unless that was a smurf of the day episode. Where they revolve an episode around one smurf that you only see once ala Nosy, Weepy, or Pushover.

[Raph's Girl]

Yeah. Alan Cumming is Gutsy (uh....who the heck is that? I don't remember him from the cartoons or comics) and George Lopez is apperantly Grouchy.... So Grouchy is now hispanic and is George Lopez doing every live action adaption now? Cuz he's also been cast as Speedy Gonzales.....

"Mommy...why does Grouchy sound like a mexican rodent?"

But yeah... Katy Perry is Smurfett and Quintin Tarantino is Brainy. But they actually got one of the original cast members for this. Jonathan Winters is Papa Smurf. He voiced just about everyone in the cartoon.

http://www.ncm.com/News/MovieNewsDetails.aspx?ID=63582
http://www.cinematical.com/2010/03/11/quentin-tarantino-gets-smurfing-smurfy-in-smurfs

imdb.com says NPH is playing Johan. Wasn't that the kid?

[BoggleKng]

Not a bad cast.. good be worse.. let's see how the animation is..

[Spacebabie]

I can't really see or hear Quentin as Brainy.

Heres hoping they get Frank Welker as Hefty.

[BubblyShell22]

Meh, sounds interesting, but I'd have to wait and see where this goes.

[oldmanwinters]

I'm hoping they make this movie a little something like this:
Qa8MjjMajEA

Muhahahaha!!!

[the fixer]

Actually, OldmanWinters, that Unicef commercial was a pretty bold leap for The Smurfs. No one would've expected a clip like that, certainly not from The Smurfs. I'm sure you'll never see a thing like that featuring The Care Bears...

Anyhoo... This cast list is getting weirder and weirder...

I don't know what to think of Tarantino playing a Smurf...
Who the heck came up with that idea?

It's pretty cool though that Winters is doing Papa Smurf. They could've gone for a more eccentric choice and cast Johnny Depp or something...
The way things are going, that wouldn't have surprised me...
(Heck, maybe he'll play Azrael.)

What seems strange to me is that they're only casting now... They started this project -like- three years ago or more...
Some development hell...

[Raph's Girl]

Oh my gods!! Hank Azaria has been cast as Gargamel!! :o

Also, Glee's Jayma Mays has been cast as Neil Patrick Harris' love interest in the film.

http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Jayma-Mays-Cast-1016351.aspx

[Spacebabie]

I think Hank Azaria can pull off Gargamel pretty well.

[Raph's Girl]

Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens has been cast as Jokey Smurf. So have a comedian (George Lopez) as Grouchy and a pervert as Jokey?

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEubQAwBpxXmyw

Others in the cast are:
Jonathan Winters as Papa
Katy Perry as Smurfette
Alan Cumming as Gutsy
Kevin James as Hefty (HAHAHA)
Anton "Chekov" Yelchin as Clumsy
Fred Armisen as Brainy (negotiations for Tarantino failed apperantly)
John Oliver as Vanity
Neil Patrick Harris as Johan (all grown up with a wife and kid on the way)
Sofia Vergara as Johann's boss (he works for a cosmetics company apperantly)
Hank Azaria as Gargamel

The film is now expected to arrive in theatres Aug 3rd, 2011

[Spacebabie]

I think I might have been quite more amused if they got Peewee to voice Peewee.

[Raph's Girl]

Looky folks! It's Gargamel! OMG! Awesome!! :lol:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=65657

In the 3D August 3, 2011 release, the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village and they tumble from their magical world into ours – in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.

Meanwhile more casting:
Wolfgang Puck is Chef :lol:
B.J Novak is Baker
Keenan Thompson is Greedy
Jeff Foxworthy is Handy (yay...a redneck smurf....)

[Spacebabie]

So that is why they are here in the 21st century.

[Dontebell]

First look of at Papa Smurf and two other smurfs.
http://enewsi.com/movies/190-17771.html

[Candy Kappa]

The look is nice, not much you can do to make the smurfs realistic without alienate them.
now it's just to see how good the 3D to live integration is and the animation

[Raph's Girl]

Interesting about the plot there. Gargamel doesn't want to eat them anymore.

During the opening scene, set in that original time, Gargamel discovers the Smurfs' magical village and scatters them into the woods. "Unfortunately, Clumsy goes the wrong way into a forbidden grotto where a few other Smurfs follow," says director Raja Gosnell (Scooby-Doo). "Because it's a blue moon, there's a magical portal that transports them to Central Park."

Returning home is more complicated as Gargamel pursues them. The trio pictured — along with Smurfette, Brainy and a new character, the brave-to-a-fault Gutsy — take refuge with a husband and wife (Neil Patrick Harris and Glee's Jayma Mays).

Eating the Smurfs was always Gargamel's unfulfilled goal, but that's one idea the filmmakers decided to scrap. "We all wondered whether we would be making a family version of Sweeney Todd," jokes producer Jordan Kerner (Charlotte's Web). Now, Gargamel simply wants to capture the Smurfs to serve as charms, whose mystical essence will make his inept magic more powerful — and dangerous.

Oh! Check it out!! The teaser trailer is up! Hahahaha...cute!

0RJ-UcxPk78

[Shark_Blade]

Can't wait to see Smurfette. :D

[Shellsweet]

LOL wow!

It's Alvin and the Chipmunks ALL over again! lol, which wasnt THAT bad of a movie, If was a little kid I would probabtly have loved it.

And same goes with the smurfs. It looks pretty cute. More of a DVD wait though in my opinion, but If I had Kids I would most likely go to theaters to see it. :P

[gobo]

I sure do hope they bring in the original VA to do Azrael's lines. That ticked me off so bad that they wouldn't let Greg Berger overdub Odie in the live-action Garfield movies.
Totally kidding! But, now that I mention it, that woulda been awesome. ^_^
Can't say I'm surprised at the whole 'hey, let's bring the smurfs to our world!' stroke of genius, but this looks tolerable so far. But, the smurf theme set to the beats from Ton Loc's 'The Wild Thing'? I'm sorry, but that's funked up.

[Raph's Girl]

And here we have it. The image some of us have been waiting for.

Smurfette:

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/21628/the_smurfs_21628.jpg

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/First-Image-Of-Smurfette-From-The-New-Smurfs-Movie-21628.html

[discordiatookie]

Heh, so taking my three year old niece (who will be four by then!) to see this!

[Raph's Girl]

Some new pics from Smurfs. Brainy is fricken adorable!! The Scottish Smurf is Gutsy voiced by Alan Cumming. Described as A scottish, Brave heart-like Smurf, who is known for getting into danger and brave to a fault

"For Smurfy Freedom!!!"

http://cdn-www.mania.com/content_pics/000006/91/62/63ae6e4679bae32f_large.jpg

[Dontebell]

A new Trailer is out

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810033015/video/24476987

[Jester]

Man, this is going to be Alvin and the Chipmunks bad, isn't it? Even Neil Patrick Harris and Frank Azaria can't save it.

[Raph's Girl]

Smurfabunga?! Did...did I really hear them say Smurfabunga?!

Yes it was a funny trailer (Yay! Azrael is a real cat!)...but...Smurfabunga?

[Jester]

I faced palmed at "Who smurfed?" myself.

[gobo]

Last I knew, they were only bringing three of 'em to Earth. I wouldn't mind seeing that now. Just don't think I wanna pay ticket price to see it. Looks like an amusing parody though.

[deadpoolRKO]

idk if i'll see this , but i like Jayma Mays , Katy Perry , and B J Novak so i might take my little cousin or something