Animated SMURFS Reboot Coming in 2017

Concept Art Courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation

While the 2011 The Smurfs movie grossed $563 million and the sequel The Smurfs 2 took in a respectable $347 million, Sony has decided to reboot the franchise as a fully animated movie. It never made sense to me why they made it a live-action movie mixed with CGI to begin with. Sony Pictures Animation announced that the untitled Smurfs movie's release date is March 31st, 2017, specifying that it's to take advantage of the run-up to Easter.

The reboot will feature creator Peyo’s (Pierre Culliford) original drawings and concept, which I'm sure die-hards are happy to hear about. Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2) is directing, Jordan Kerner (Charlotte’s Web) is producing, and Mary Ellen Bauder is co-producing.

On the movie's production blog, Asbury said:

“Since this new film has no connection to the previous live-action hybrids, we have a whole new world to create and it is critical to me and my crew that we deliver a movie that will enchant families and fans worldwide for years to come.”

If they get this right maybe I'll even be interested in watching it. Sony said they will be announcing the final title and voice cast over the coming months.

Source: Variety