Mumbai: Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation have obtained the motion picture rights to the Smurfs from Lafig Belgium S.A. via producer Jordan Kerner.
The parties will develop a dynamic, live action/animated major motion picture based on the iconic and lovable sky blue colored classic characters it was jointly announced by Columbia Pictures presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, Sony Pictures Entertainment president of digital production Bob Osher, and Sony Pictures Animation president of production Hannah Minghella. Jordan Kerner will produce the film for Sony.
Belgrad said, "The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world… 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."
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.
"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.
"The entire team at Sony 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.
Added Coysman, "Jordan Kerner and the entire Sony team have demonstrated such great enthusiasm for bringing Peyo’s creation to the big screen. Their passion, together with a true understanding of the property, will translate into a wonderful entertainment experience for fans — old and new alike."
