Rihanna has been cast in the voice role of Smurfette in a new live-action hybrid feature film from Paramount Animation, “The Smurfs Movie.” The superstar appeared in person Thursday at CinemaCon, the annual convention of movie theater owners in Las Vegas, to make the announcement.
“I tried to get the role of Papa Smurf, but it didn’t work out,” the singer joked on stage at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino, along with Ramsey Naito, head of Paramount Animation. It was revealed that Rihanna will star, write and record original songs, and produce the upcoming project. Dressed in a stonewash denim cape, she also confirmed that she is in the third trimester of pregnancy with her second child.
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The film, according to Naito, will explore themes of identity and ask the central question, “What is a Smurf?”
Rihanna previously lent her voice to the DreamWorks animated film ‘Home’ which grossed over $380 million worldwide. Her live-action screen credits include “Battleship,” “This Is the End,” “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” “Ocean’s 8,” and “Guava Island.”
Based on comic books by Belgian artist Peyo, the tribe of little blue creatures previously enjoyed a modern film franchise at Sony Pictures, which took off over a decade ago. Director Raja Gosnell (“Scooby-Doo”) made two live-action hybrid films starring Neil Patrick Harris and voices such as Julia Roberts, Katy Perry, Hank Azaria and Joe Manganiello.
The film will hit theaters on February 14, 2025. Pam Brady wrote the script and Chris Miller will direct.
In addition to the “Smurfs” reboot, the upcoming Paramount Animation slate will feature Seth Rogen’s version of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” a new adventure for “SpongeBob Squarepants,” and another attraction for “Paw Patrol.”
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