Sony Pictures Animation announced today that their still-untitled animated Smurfs movie, previously set for release August 5, 2016, will now arrive a bit later than originally anticipated. It is now the first film to claim a March 31, 2017 release.
The film, which is said to mark a brand new, fully-animated take on the beloved blue creatures, is being directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2, Gnomeo & Juliet), produced by Jordan Kerner (Charlotte’s Web, The Smurfs) and co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder (Hotel Transylvania).
“With a fully animated feature close in tone and design to Peyo’s original creation, we’re embracing everything that has made the Smurfs so special for audiences worldwide,” says Rory Bruer, president, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures. “The date is a perfect match for this movie. With the kids on break, every day plays like summer, and for franchises with global appeal like the Smurfs, audiences are ready to turn out for great entertainment.”
Asbury himself took to the film’s official production blog with his own statement:
I want nothing more than for this ALL-NEW ANIMATED SMURF MOVIE REBOOT to be the very best ever depiction of the Smurfs since the original Peyo comic books. Since this new film has no connection to the previous live action hybrids, we have a whole new world to create and it is critical to me and my crew that we deliver a movie that will enchant families and fans worldwide for years to come.
So when my partners and I here at Sony Pictures Animation realized that rushing towards a summer 2016 release date meant having to launch production on a story that was not fully in the place we wanted it to be yet, we have decided to give ourselves a little more time to not compromise quality and deliver the truly smurftastic movie we all want to see on the big screen.
Our new release date, March 31, 2017, is a perfect opportunity to be sprung with the Smurfs in Spring! The Easter date is a perfect match for this particular movie for fans around the world.
Get ready to experience an all-new adventure unrelated to the first two Smurfs films. Now with more time to work with, we’re delivering the best movie possible without compromising – I could not be more happy!
A full title is expected to be announced soon, so check back for updates as they become available.
