A live-action-mixed-with-animation film adaptation (say THAT five times fast!) of one of my favorite cartoon series from back in the day, The Smurfs, has been in the planning stages for seven years, so I honestly didn't think anything would ever come of it. Then, out of the blue, a title design for the movie was revealed at the Licensing International Expo in early June. And now today comes word that director Raja Gosnell has signed on to oversee the little blue creatures' big-screen adventures. So I dare say this thing is gonna happen, folks!
The bigger question is, of course, will it suck? Gosnell has been around the block with similar types of films, including Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo 2 and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He's also directed Never Been Kissed, Big Momma's House, Yours, Mine and Ours and Home Alone 3. Hmm... not the strongest resume in the world, but then again, I don't think anyone was expecting the likes of Scorsese to clamor for the job.
Which leads me to my next point: who exactly will star in The Smurfs Movie? Because, let's face it, it could be a huge flop. The most obvious character to be given the live-action treatment is Gargamel, the evil wizard who is always trying to destroy the Smurfs. To me, there is one actor and one actor only who I could see as this black-robed, crotchety sorcerer, and that is Alan Rickman. But I think he's probably tied up playing another black-robed, crotchety sorcerer, Professor Severus Snape, in the remaining Harry Potter films. Since Rickman's most likely out of the question, do any of you redblog readers have any ideas for who could portray Smurf Enemy #1? On message boards I've seen everyone from John Lithgow to "the dude who played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley" (David Lander) to Jon Lovitz to Danny DeVito to Paul Giamatti mentioned. Because of the "this could be a disaster" factor, I think Giamatti's at a place in his career where he'd politely decline if approached -- but then again, he made time for Fred Claus...
Since the film is scheduled for a December 2010 release (there will naturally be a 3D version, too, as that format's all the rage right now), I'm sure we won't have to wait much longer to learn who's been casted. Although I'm usually fraught with despair over these sorts of projects (I tend to be protective about anything that's associated with positive childhood memories), I'm -- for some inexplicable reason -- feeling kinda optimistic about this one. Maybe it's because I just listened to the happy-happy Smurfs theme song again and its positivity has affected me. If nothing else, the movie better make use of that sprightly little tune or there's absolutely no hope for it to be a success!
John Lithgow is a good suggestion. Is he doing anything these days?
Posted by: Fiirvoen (Jason) | July 09, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Take a look at that picture of Gargamel and tell me Joe Pesci wouldn't be perfect for the role...
Posted by: Scruff | July 09, 2009 at 01:19 PM
John Lithgow will be the antagonist on Dexter for Season 4.
my suggestions are in no particular order:
Jim Carrey
Steve Carrell
Stephen Colbert
Posted by: millar74 | July 09, 2009 at 01:40 PM
I loved the Smurfs when I was a kid! But do kids these days even know who they are?
Hank Azaria would make a great Gargamel.
Posted by: Donna | July 09, 2009 at 03:29 PM