The Smurfs is a 2011 American 3D live-action/computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the comics series of the same name created by the Belgian comics artist Peyo. It was directed by Raja Gosnell and stars Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Sofía Vergara, with Jonathan Winters and Katy Perry as the voices of Papa Smurf and Smurfette. It is the first live-action/animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation, and the first of two live-action/animated Smurfs feature films.[3] The film tells the story of the Smurfs as they get lost in New York, and try to find a way to get back home before Gargamel catches them.
After five years of negotiations, Jordan Kerner bought the rights in 2002, and the film entered development withParamount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, until Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation obtained the film rights in 2008. Filming began in March 2010 in New York City.
After having the release date changed three times, Columbia Pictures released The Smurfs on July 29, 2011. Box office analysts initially predicted the film would tie with Cowboys & Aliens, but The Smurfs ultimately came in second, grossing $35.6 million against Cowboys & Aliens' $36.4 million gross. The Smurfs reached the $500 million milestone in the weekend of September 23–25, 2011.
A sequel, titled The Smurfs 2, was released on July 31, 2013.
Plot[]
Cast[]
Live action actors[]
Hank Azaria as Gargamel, the nemesis of the Smurfs who plots to use the Smurfs as part of a spell which would turn lead into gold. As opposed to the television show where Gargamel's goal is to use the Smurfs as the key ingredient in an alchemical formula to create gold or eat them or destroy them, in the film he wants to capture them to serve as charms, "whose mystical essence will make his inept magic more powerful — and dangerous".[4] To look the part of Gargamel, Azaria wore a prosthetic nose, ears, buck teeth, eyebrows, and a wig (to make the process easier, he shaved his head). The initial make-up test took three hours, but by mid-production, the process took 90 minutes to complete. Azaria was transformed over 50 times and spent approximately 130 hours in the make-up chair.[5]
- Neil Patrick Harris as Patrick "Pat" Winslow, the new VP of marketing at Anjelou Cosmetics
- Jayma Mays as Grace Winslow, Patrick's pregnant wife
- Sofía Vergara as Odile Anjelou, an executive at Anjelou Cosmetics who is Patrick's boss.
- Tim Gunn as Henri, Odile's executive assistant at Anjelou Cosmetics.
- Paula Pizzi as Odile's Mother
Joan Rivers, Liz Smith, Tom Colicchio, Olivia Palermo and Michael Musto make cameos in the film at a fictional Anjelou cosmetics product launch.[5]
Voice actors[]
Further information: List of The Smurfs characters
- Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf, the leader of the Smurfs. Winters previously provided the voice of Grandpa Smurf in the 1980s cartoon series. He and Frank Welker are the only original cast members from the TV series who returned for the film.
- Katy Perry as Smurfette, the female of the Smurfs. About gaining the voice role, Perry said: "They had done a blind test where they took certain voices from previous interviews and matched them with the character. They liked my voice without even knowing who it was, and when they found out it was me, they thought that would work out. My personality was just a plus!"[5]
- Anton Yelchin as Clumsy Smurf. Yelchin commented on his character's personality change from the cartoons series saying, "I was familiar with Clumsy from the TV series, where he had that Southern twang. I went back and watched that, and then Raja, Jordan and I talked about it. We decided to make Clumsy a little simpler, a little sweeter. His voice is pitched higher than my normal speaking voice – it's full of joy, optimism, and enthusiasm for life. Clumsy isn't trying to mess anything up for anybody — he's just clumsy, and actually, he‘s tired of being clumsy".[5]
- Fred Armisen as Brainy Smurf, the smartest Smurf, below Papa Smurf. Quentin Tarantino was up to voice him, but he turned it down.
- Alan Cumming as Gutsy Smurf, one of three Smurfs created specifically for the film and who is Scottish, wears a kilt and has sideburns. The character is also described as the "action hero" of the film.[5]
- George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf. To prepare for his role of being "grouchy", Lopez did not drink coffee, made sure he had bad breath and picked the busiest time to get to the studio.[5]
- Jeff Foxworthy as Handy Smurf
- Paul Reubens as Jokey Smurf
- Gary Basaraba as Hefty Smurf
- John Oliver as Vanity Smurf
- Kenan Thompson as Greedy Smurf
- B. J. Novak as Baker Smurf
- Joel McCrary as Farmer Smurf
- Wolfgang Puck as Chef Smurf
- John Kassir as Crazy Smurf, the second Smurf created specifically for the film
- Tom Kane as Narrator Smurf, the third Smurf created specifically for the film.
- Frank Welker as Azrael, Gargamel's cat.[6] Welker provided the voice of Hefty Smurf and other characters in the 1980s cartoon series. Four Orange tabby cats played the role of Azrael with some scenes being created with CGI by Tippett Studio. Animal trainer Larry Madrid had a "rare Burma cat" that was used to educe snarls from the other cats since they did not like him.[5]