Rihanna is taking blue to the next level.
The Grammy-winning global superstar stars as the voice of Smurfette in the highly anticipated Smurfs, hitting Philippine cinemas on July 16. A longtime fan of the lovable blue crew, Rihanna steps into the animated world not just as a voice actor, but also as a producer and musical contributor.
“So many mornings, I woke up long before I was supposed to get ready for school just to get that dose of Smurfs,” remembers Rihanna, who also serves as producer and musical contributor for this year’s Smurfs movie. “I related so much to Smurfette and what she stood for. First of all, I have always loved makeup and hair. We all know that. And she’s an esthetician. She’s also a powerful leader, independent, strong, beautiful, sassy, witty and very empathetic. I was super-inspired by all of that. I think she loves music too and her favorite genres are hip-hop, reggae, Afrobeats, ballads and house. That’s Smurfette. She needs options.”
From Barbados to Blueville: Rihanna’s Childhood Fave Returns to the Big Screen
Growing up in Barbados, Rihanna didn’t have a wide variety of TV shows to enjoy, but The Smurfs was a childhood staple. “So many mornings, I’d wake up early just to catch them,” she recalls. Now, decades later, she gets to embody the very Smurf who inspired her growing up.
In this reimagined adventure, Smurfette leads the Smurfs into the real world on a bold rescue mission. When Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, it’s up to Smurfette and her pint-sized pals to discover their true destiny and save the universe.
Watch The Trailer Here:
A Smurftacular Voice Cast & Vision
The film boasts an epic all-star lineup: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, with Kurt Russell and John Goodman.
Director Chris Miller—also a childhood fan—aims to take audiences on a fresh, thrilling ride. “It opened my world up to the possibilities of what animation could be like,” says Miller, who was also a fan of the 1980s animated TV series as a kid. “In this film, audiences will see Smurfs in a way that no one’s ever seen before. Using the original Peyo comics as a blueprint, we’ve reinvigorated the franchise. We brought the world of the comic book into a computer-generated universe that is immersive and tactile.”
Honoring Legacy, Celebrating the Future
A key highlight for Rihanna during production? Meeting the family of Peyo, the legendary Belgian artist who created the Smurfs. They’re so invested,” she says. “They were an important part of the entire process. We just want to make everyone proud and introduce a new generation to Smurfs. We are super excited to take the audiences with us on a magical journey into the amazing world of Smurfs. This is a huge movie about the smallest heroes in the universe. It’s a big-time adventure with action, music, laughter and the cutest daredevils you’ve ever seen.”
With catchy songs, breathtaking animation, and the tiniest heroes in the biggest adventure, Smurfs promises fun for the whole family.
Sing your happy song and catch Smurfs in cinemas nationwide starting July 16, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Check showtimes and buy your tickets here.
Join the conversation with #SmurfsMovie and get ready to go blue!
Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures”
