Columbia, Sony Score Smurf Movie Rights

CULVER CITY, June 10: Columbia
Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation are developing a live-action and animated
theatrical feature for The Smurfs,
after acquiring the motion-picture rights to the iconic characters from Lafig
Belgium via producer Jordan Kerner.

Kerner, the producer of Charlotte’s
Web, will produce the film for
Sony, and David Stem and David Weiss, who penned Shrek 2 and 3,
are in negotiations to write the screenplay.

In
an announcement of the deal, Kerner said: "It all began with a holiday
conversation with Michael Lynton [the chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures
Entertainment] and then another with Amy
Pascal [the co-chairman of SPE]. Michael was raised with the
"SCHTROUMPFS" in the Netherlands. He relished them as I do and
suggested that it should be a live-action/CG film. Amy felt equally that there
was potentially a series of films in the making. I knew that the dream would
come true when we started working with Doug, Bob and Hannah. It all became very
Smurfy! I have been working with Veronique Culliford, the daughter of Peyo, the
author-creator of the Smurfs, and Hendrik Coysman, CEO of Lafig Belgium, to
bring this franchise to the screen. They have captivated me for years with
their great humor and huge hearts."

Doug
Belgrad, a co-president of Columbia Pictures, noted, “The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises and among the
most beloved collection of characters in the world. These classic characters
have entertained millions of people and several generations all over the world
for more than half a century. We’re very excited to introduce a new generation
to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other Smurfs in all of their 'three apple
tall' glory."

Bob
Osher, the president of digital production for Sony Pictures Entertainment,
added, "Through Animation and Imageworks, our visual effects and character
animation studio, we have an extraordinary capability to mix animation and live
action having created a number of fully-realized CG characters in live action
films from Stuart Little to Spider-Man
3. We couldn't be more delighted
or excited about working together on The Smurfs motion picture."

The
Smurfs were created in 1958 by
Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford (Peyo). The TV series ran as part of NBC's
Saturday-morning lineup from 1981-1990.

—By Mansha Daswani