Well, we knew it was really only a matter of time before the studios got their claws on the classic television programming of the Smurfs. They’ve already mined just about every other source of programming and now their attacking beloved Saturday morning cartoons of the ’80s. That’s right, the Smurfs are coming to the big screen according to Variety.
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation will be bringing a live-action/animated version of the Smurfs to the big screen (think Alvin and the Chipmunks). David Stem and David Weiss, who wrote the second and third installments in the Shrek franchise, are in negotiations to write the screenplay.
The Smurfs are best known in the United States for the long running Hanna-Barbera cartoon that ran as part of NBC’s Saturday morning lineup from 1981-1990. However, the Smurfs were actually created in 1958 by a Belgian cartoonist named Pierre Culliford (known as Peyo). The Smurfs, who were originally called “Les Schtroumpfs” in French, were created as minor characters for a series of Belgian comic books. The little villagers, known for their blue skin and small statures, eventually became popular themselves and spawned a lucrative line of toys, games, statuettes and even theme park rides.
“The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises, and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world,” Columbia co-president Doug Belgrad said. “We’re very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other smurftastic Smurfs in all of their ‘three-apple-tall’ glory.”
No timeline has been set for the project.
Live action smurf's eh? I guess its pretty clear then that Rosie O'donald painted blue is CLEARLY Papa Smurf…
Cap'n is trying to get Disqus (“funny”) points today…
Points all around!
Hmmm, I guess since jina says 'trying to be funny' I'll have to try harder…. =)
Now that is point worthy my friend.
So – do you think Peyo smoked peyote to dream these little blue guys up?
Seriously – Smurfs? Where are the Johnny Quest or Mr. McGoo movies? Ridiculous!
They already made “Mr Magoo” in 1997 and Johnny Quest is on the way.
Man, you're throwing around points like they're free or something.
No points for you!
Sad…and I'm glad I missed it.
Johnny Quest is on the way? I don't think I can take much more from Hollywood – they have lost their creativity.
Ah man, that's not right…
Yep, there's talk Johnny might be fast tracked for summer 2009.
Who are these people that are 1. greenlighting this ideas in Hollywood, and 2. the lemmings that are following them and allowing it to happen.
It's a travesty.
I can hear Rambo's commanding officer Col Trautman saying “It's over Johnny!!”
yes! i love the smurfs! smurfette is the most fashionable cartoon ever.
and using “smurf” as an adjective or verb is one of my favorite words! like smurf off. or quit smurfing around. the possibilities are endless.
Ditto!
I'll save you!
Nice to see that you appreciate my artwork and are using it without my permission. Please link back to my source image or remove it.
Alex
http://www.code-d.com/papa-smurf/papa-smurf.php