New The Smurfs Movie Adds Puss In Boots Director
Puss in Boots filmmaker Chris Miller will direct the upcoming Smurfs musical movie. Previously, Sony Pictures Animation released three Smurfs movies from 2011 to 2017, all of which received mixed responses from audiences and critics. Later, however, Nickelodeon acquired the global rights to the Smurfs IP and announced that it would team with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS to produce multiple films within the franchise. A Smurfs musical movie, tentatively scheduled to release on December 20, 2024, is the first project happening under the new deal.
Now, THR reports that Oscar nominated director Miller has signed on to helm the Smurfs musical movie for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. Miller, who also previously directed Shrek the Third,will work off a screenplay by South Park's Pam Brady. Ramsey Naito, the president of animation and development at Paramount Animation, said in a statement:
“We’re thrilled to have such a talented group of people bringing audiences this latest rendition of the beloved Smurfs universe, including the incredible Chris Miller.”
Related: The Smurfs 3 Updates: Will The Live-Action Sequel Happen?
A revered animator and storyboard artist, Miller's experience with animated features like the Shrek movies positions him as an ideal candidate for directing the new Smurfs. Since the new film will altogether be a different production than the Sony movies, Miller can freely exercise his creative liberties to develop a Smurfs project that is both endearing and mindful of its source material. The previous movies were critically panned, but now, Miller has the opportunity to redeem the franchise's cinematic reputation and deliver a charming new Smurfs musical movie that is reminiscent of the original
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