The Smurfs 2 (2021 film)

The Smurfs 2 is a 2021 American live-action/Computer-animated musical fantasy action comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Jim Henson Company (through Jim Henson Pictures) and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 60th Disney animated feature film, based on the comic series of the same name created by the Belgian comics artist Peyo, the sequel of The Smurfs, it was directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, and produced by Clark Spencer and Brian Henson, from a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, Bush, Phil Johnston, Jennings, John Whittington, and a story by Howard, Bush, Garth Jennings, Pamela Ribon, and Matthew Fogel.

The Smurfs 2 was released in United States on November 24, 2021. The film received generally positive reviews for its craftsmanship, delivery, and themes; its narrative and focus drew some criticism, and the music had a mixed reaction. The Smurfs 2 earned $1.475 billion worldwide, finishing its theatrical run as the third-highest-grossing film of 2021, the tenth-highest-grossing film of all time, and the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time, and had the highest-grossing worldwide opening of all time for an animated film. The film was dedicated to Nine Culliford, wife of Peyo, who died in 2016, and Tom Lister Jr., who doing the voice of Finnick, died in 2020. A sequel was in development.

Live-Action Cast

 * Jim Carrey as Gargamel, an evil wizard
 * Mr. Krinkle as Azrael

Voice Cast

 * Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps Wilde
 * Della Sabha as young Judy
 * Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde
 * James Marsden as Vector Wilde, Nick's brother
 * Neil Patrick Harris as Buster Moon
 * Reese Witherspoon as Rosatia
 * Scarlett Johansson as Ash
 * Taron Egerton as Johnny
 * Tori Kelly as Meena
 * Nick Kroll as Gunter
 * Don Lake as Stu Hopps
 * Bonnie Hunt as Bonnie Hopps
 * Tom Lister Jr. as Finnick
 * Jennifer Saunders as Nana
 * Idris Elba as Chief Bogo
 * Jenny Slate as Dawn Bellwether
 * Nate Torrence as Officer Clawhauser
 * Bobby Cannavale as Jimmy Crystal
 * Lucy Liu as Nooshy
 * Halsey as Porsha Crystal
 * Don Cheadle as Darius
 * Michelle Rodriguez as Suzie
 * Ron Paudro as Klaus Kickenklober
 * Garth Jennings as Mrs. Crawley
 * Pharrell Williams as Alfonso
 * Will Smith as Clay Calloway

Smurfs, The Naugthies and Azrael cast

 * Katy Perry as Smurfette
 * Gary Oldman as Papa Smurf
 * Anya Taylor-Joy as Vexy
 * Kevin James as Hackus
 * Tom Holland as Clumsy Smurf
 * Seth Rogen as Gutsy Smurf
 * Peter Dinklage as Grouchy Smurf
 * Will Arnett as Vanity Smurf
 * Tom Kenny as Jokey Smurf
 * Tom Kane as Narrator Smurf
 * Keegan-Michael Key as Brainy Smurf
 * Eric Bauza as Greddy Smurf
 * Sebastian Maniscalco as Handy Smurf
 * Frank Welker as Azrael

Development
In June 2016, Howard and Jennings were in talks about the possibility of a The Smurfs sequel. In September 2016, Disney announced that a sequel to The Smurfs was in the works, and produced Brian Henson confirmed for the sequel. Byron Howard confirmed to directed for the sequel, in reveal that to Jared Bush will confirmed as a director of the film. In addition to Teen Titans Go! creators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic as co-director. John Whittington announced as a co-screenwriter. In 2020, Henson reopened Jim Henson Pictures for the first time with Walt Disney Pictures. Jim Henson Pictures previously produced with Columbia Pictures after Buddy (1997), Muppets from Space (1999), and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999). Disney working on the sequel in late 2018 with writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, Jared Bush, Phil Johnston, Garth Jennings and Matthew Fogel. By early August 2018, the first draft of the script was completed. On April 26, 2018, Disney announced that the film went into production. Filming took place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and the animation began September 2018 to October 2020. Several scenes were filmed in the new film studios Cité du Cinéma founded by Luc Besson in Saint-Denis in France.

Writing
The most delightful part of the spy film turned out to be its first act, set in a city created by and for animals. To focus on the all-animal city, Howard eventually dropped the 1960s setting, along with the espionage and international aspects, and changed the film into a contemporary police procedural. In perspective involved dropping several characters, including two characters known as "The Gerbil Jerks" who were described as "trust-fund gerbils that had nothing better to do than harass Smurfette."

Animation and Visual Effects
Visual Effects and Animation for The Smurfs 2 was provided by Disney's iGROOM, Disney Hyperion Rendering, Lucasfilm's Industrial Lights and Magic, and Jim Henson's Creature Shop after previously from the first film. Additionaly, Moving Picture Company (MPC), DNEG, and Animal Logic also provided the visual effects.

Casting
In February 2017, it was announced that Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Neil Patrick Harris confirmed reprises their roles as Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Buster Moon, alongside with Gary Oldman, Katy Perry, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly. In April 2017, it announced that Jim Carrey would reprise his role as Gargamel. In December 2020, Bobby Cannavale, Anya Taylor-Joy, Lucy Liu, Will Smith, Kevin James, Halsey, Pharrell Williams , Ron Paudro, Don Cheadle, and Michelle Rodriguez were added to the voice cast.

Music
On November 2020, It was announced that Brian Tyler will composing the music replacing Michael Giacchino from the first film.

Possible Sequel
In April 2022, following Sonic The Hedgehog 2, after Carrey announced that he was considering retirement from acting, producers Spencer and Henson confirmed that his role as Gargamel would not be cast in any sequels. On Febraury 8, 2022, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that The Smurfs 3 was in the work. In March 2022, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic were confirmed as director, with Matthew Fogel and Lin-Manual Miranda attached as the screenwriter. On August 2022, The film is scheduled to be released on February on November 27, 2024. On April 2023, Hank Azaria wants to play as Gargamel and it was announced that Azaria will replacing Carrey from the sequels.