Pop Culture Buzz

FROM COMINGSOON.NET

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation have obtained the motion picture rights to “The Smurfs”. The parties will develop a dynamic, live action/animated major motion picture based on the iconic and lovable sky blue colored classic characters.

David Stem and David Weiss are in negotiations to be brought on board to write the screenplay. Stem and Weiss are the award-winning screenwriters behind “Shrek” 2 and 3, and other notable animated projects including “The Rugrats Movie”, and “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius”

Commenting on the announcement Belgrad said, “The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world. These classic characters have entertained millions of people and several generations all over the world for more than half a century. We’re very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other Smurfs in all of their ‘three apple tall’ glory.”

“Through Animation and Imageworks, our visual effects and character animation studio, we have an extraordinary capability to mix animation and live action having created a number of fully-realized CG characters in live action films from ‘Stuart Little’ to ‘Spider-Man 3,’” said Osher. “We couldn’t be more delighted or excited about working together on The Smurfs motion picture.”

“The entire team at Sony Pictures Animation is tremendously excited to team with our colleagues at Columbia Pictures and Kerner Entertainment in bringing the Smurfs to the big screen. This is our first hybrid film and we’re excited to expand our creative initiatives in this direction” said Minghella, president of production for Sony Pictures Animation.

Best known in the U.S. 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, but soon taking on a life of their own.

The peaceful little characters were featured in a best selling line of statuettes (selling over 300 million worldwide), models, games, toys, theme parks, and, of course, the immensely popular television series.

Running as part of NBC’s Saturday-morning lineup from 1981-1990, the cartoon was a huge critical and commercial success, twice winning Daytime Emmy Awards(r) for Best Children’s Entertainment Program, running for 256 episodes, and inspiring seven specials.