Director Chris Miller thrilled the audience with an exclusive sneak peek into the eagerly awaited Paramount Animation masterpiece, revealing that the pop megastar Rihanna is contributing brand-new original music, breathing fresh life into the soundtrack. Rihanna's participation in "The Smurfs Movie" has emerged as a game-changing force, elevating the project to new heights.
At the prestigious Annecy Animation Festival on Tuesday, Miller graced the stage, accompanied by Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito, to unveil the film. Set to captivate moviegoers in theaters on February 14, 2025, the movie is a vibrant homage to the iconic characters and works of renowned artist Peyo.
Miller, renowned for his directorial prowess in "Puss in Boots," showcased a work-in-progress footage from the film's opening sequence, accompanied by a demo version of Rihanna's original music. He elaborated on how Peyo's art has served as the inspirational foundation for the film's vision, stating, "The DNA in Peyo's original drawings serves as the guiding light for every creative choice in the film. It's the blueprint for the kind of film I want to create." He further emphasized how every detail, from the action lines to the thought bubbles in the comics, has been seamlessly incorporated into the movie, inspiring the film's vibrant and lively animation style.
As the voice of Smurfette in "The Smurfs Movie," Rihanna joins an ensemble cast boasting an array of talents including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman.
Miller praised Rihanna's significant contributions to the project, highlighting her multifaceted role in writing, producing, and singing brand-new original songs that promise to capture the essence of the movie. He described the film's visual style as naturalistic and lush, promising a visually stunning experience that will transport audiences into the enchanting world of the Smurfs.
Earlier this year, during Paramount's presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, studio chief Brian Robbins gushed about Rihanna, calling her "the most legendary Smurfette ever." Rihanna's nomination for an Oscar for her song "Lift Me Up" from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" further underscores her musical prowess, marking her triumphant return to solo music after a hiatus since her 2016 studio album, "Anti."
The Smurfs have long been household names, thanks to their popular cartoon TV series from the 1980s. Sony brought them to the big screen with the animated film "The Smurfs" in 2011, featuring Katy Perry as Smurfette, followed by a sequel in 2013. The 2017 reboot, "Smurfs: The Lost Village," starred Demi Lovato as the voice of Smurfette, setting a high bar for the upcoming film to follow. With Rihanna's involvement and Miller's directorial vision, "The Smurfs Movie" promises to be a visually stunning and musically captivating addition to the franchise.
