Get ready to reunite with the little blue crew that captured our hearts in the 1980s! The wait is finally over, and the first trailer for the highly anticipated “Smurfs” movie has dropped, giving us a sneak peek into the magical world of our beloved Smurfs. And, the most exciting part? The trailer introduces us to the one and only Rihanna as Smurfette, the iconic female Smurf created by Gargamel to infiltrate the Smurfs’ village.
Rihanna Steals the Show in The Smurfs Movie Trailer
Rihanna is proving to be a powerful force for Paramount Animation’s upcoming feature The Smurfs Movie, with the pop sensation set to voice Smurfette alongside an all-star voice cast.
Director Chris Miller led the film’s presentation at the Annecy Animation Festival on Tuesday, where he was joined on the stage by Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito.
The Smurfs Movie is based on the characters and work of artist Peyo and is set to hit theaters on February 14, 2025.
Morningpicker has learned that Miller debuted work-in-progress footage from the movie’s opening sequence, along with a demo version of original music.
The filmmaker went on to describe how Peyo’s art laid the groundwork for the film’s vision.
"The DNA in Peyo’s original drawings guide so many creative choices in the film," Miller said.
"It’s the blueprint for the kind of film I want to make. All of the action lines and thought bubbles from the comics are going in the movie, and the comics have inspired the style of animation to be fun and buoyant, with plenty of squash and stretch."
Rihanna’s Triple Threat Performance
Rihanna is not only voicing Smurfette in The Smurfs Movie, but she is also writing, producing, and contributing original music to the film.
Morningpicker has learned that the star is set to sing new original songs that will help inform the spirit of the movie.
"I’m so excited and proud to be working with Hasbro and eOne to bring the first animated Transformers movie in nearly 40 years to theaters for a never-before-told story," said Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation.
The Voice Cast
The Smurfs Movie boasts an impressive voice cast, including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman.
Morningpicker has learned that Miller praised Rihanna’s contributions to the project, describing her as a "triple threat" who has brought a unique energy to the film.
The Film’s Style
Morningpicker has learned that Miller described the movie’s look as naturalistic and lush, with a style inspired by Peyo’s original comics.
"The DNA in Peyo’s original drawings guide so many creative choices in the film," Miller said.
"It’s the blueprint for the kind of film I want to make. All of the action lines and thought bubbles from the comics are going in the movie, and the comics have inspired the style of animation to be fun and buoyant, with plenty of squash and stretch."
Paramount Animation’s Slate Updates
Paramount Pictures president and CEO Brian Robbins revealed some slate updates for his company’s animated titles on Wednesday.
Morningpicker has learned that the studio is teaming on director Lauren Montgomery’s Aang: The Last Airbender (working title) with Paramount, Nickelodeon, and Avatar Studios.
The film is set to be released on October 10, 2025, and boasts a new cast, including Dave Bautista as the villain.
"Fans of the beloved Avatar have been asking, and we’ve answered the call," Robbins said of the film, the first of three animated films in the series.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants
Morningpicker has learned that the beloved yellow talking sponge that lives underwater is returning to the big-screen in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, set for release on December 19, 2025.
The Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies release, directed by Derek Drymon and based on the series created by Stephen Hillenburg, will have its legacy voice cast diving back in for the newest installment.
"The biggest Spongebob ever," Robbins called it.
PAW Patrol 3
Morningpicker has learned that the third installment in the PAW Patrol franchise has a release date set of July 31, 2026.
Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, and Spin Master Entertainment are teaming on the Cal Brunker-directed PAW Patrol 3, which is being produced by Jennifer Dodge, Laura Clunie, and Toni Stevens.
Brunker directed the previous films, 2021’s PAW Patrol: The Movie and 2023’s PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, both of which were hits earning $144 million worldwide and $202 million worldwide, respectively.
Transformers One
Morningpicker has learned that Paramount Animation has revealed that its in-production animated Transformers movie has been titled Transformers One.
The film is set to feature a voice cast led by Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne.
"I’m so excited and proud to be working with Hasbro and eOne to bring the first animated Transformers movie in nearly 40 years to theaters for a never-before-told story," said Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation.
The Origin Story
Morningpicker has learned that the origin story is set before the events on Earth, with the Transformers in a secret world on their home planet of Cybertron.
A young Optimus Prime (Hemsworth) and young Megatron (Henry) will go from brothers-in-arms to sworn enemies in the story.
Bots in the story include Elita (Johansson), Bumblebee (Key), Sentinel Prime (Hamm), and Alpha Trion (Fishburne).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the latest trailer for the upcoming “Smurfs” movie has finally unveiled the first footage of Rihanna as Smurfette, leaving fans and critics alike buzzing with excitement. The trailer offers a glimpse into the film’s lighthearted and action-packed storyline, showcasing the beloved Smurfs characters in a fresh and modern context. The addition of Rihanna to the cast is a significant coup for the franchise, bringing a new level of star power and musical talent to the table.
The significance of this movie cannot be overstated, as it marks a major milestone in the long-running franchise’s reboot. With its unique blend of humor, adventure, and music, the film is poised to captivate a new generation of fans while still honoring the original spirit of the beloved cartoon. As the movie’s release date draws near, fans are eagerly anticipating the chance to see Rihanna bring Smurfette to life on the big screen.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the “Smurfs” franchise is poised for a major resurgence, with this new movie and others on the horizon. With its winning formula of humor, adventure, and music, the franchise is sure to continue entertaining audiences for years to come. As we await the release of the movie, one thing is certain: Rihanna’s Smurfette is going to be a game-changer, and we can’t wait to see what she brings to the table. “The Smurfs are back, and they’re about to get a whole lot smurfier!”