The Smurfs are coming to the big screen.
© NBC
Columbia Bringing SMURFS To the Big Screen
By: Jarrod SarafinDate: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Over the last few years, we've had a live-action/CGI mix of Alvin and the Chipmunks, Underdog and Garfield. Now, another classic cartoon is expected to hit theaters soon in the way of The Smurfs, reports Variety. Sony obtained film rights to the blue-colored characters from Lafig Belgium via Jordan Kerner (Charlotte's Web), who is producing. David Stem and David Weiss, who wrote the second and third installments in the "Shrek" franchise, are in negotiations to pen the screenplay.
Kerner secured film rights to the "Smurfs" property in 2002 and had been developing a 3-D CGI feature at Paramount/Nickelodeon, which has an option to co-finance the Columbia/SPA incarnation and distribute internationally. The studio has yet to make a decision on its role in the film.
Plot Concept: "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. The villagers, known for their blue skin and small statures, spawned a line of statuettes, games, toys, theme parks and a hit TV series, which ran as part of NBC's Saturday-morning lineup from 1981-90.
More From Mania
BEOWULF
Bill Morrison to write "Captain Carrot"
(Monday, February 26, 2007)
So What Next, a Smurfs Movie?! Yes.
(Tuesday, July 19, 2005)
Enter November
(Monday, November 3, 2003)
Those '80s Toys
(Thursday, June 27, 2002)
SPACE GHOST Villains
(Saturday, April 27, 2002)
Hoyt Curtain, A Tribute
(Monday, December 25, 2000)
See more related content
