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Sony Sets Animated ‘Smurfs’ Film For March 31, 2017 Release

BREAKING: Sony Pictures Animation has set for March 31, 2017 global release an untitled animated Smurfs film, which means it will bow during the Easter holiday. This will be a new fully animated on the blue crew that propelled the live action Smurfs franchise.

The first Smurfs movie, released in July 2011, ended up making $563.7M worldwide. The second in Columbia’s franchise, released in 2013, grossed $347.5M worldwide. Animation tends to travel well overseas. The voice cast for the new animated film is being put together now. There are no other films scheduled for that weekend, however, the following weekend 20th Century Fox is releasing and animated Ferdinad, also geared to kids.

“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,” said Rory Bruer, president, SPE Worldwide Distribution. “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.”

The film is being directed by Shrek 2‘s Kelly Asbury, produced by Jordan Kerner (The Smurfs) and co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder (Hotel Transylvania). They’re setting the voice cast now.

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