"The Smurfs Movie" has assembled a star-studded cast to join Rihanna, while Dave Bautista and Eric Nam join the "Airbender" franchise.

April 11, 2024

"The Smurfs Movie" has assembled a star-studded cast to join Rihanna, while Dave Bautista and Eric Nam join the "Airbender" franchise.

Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, and Dan Levy have joined the cast of "Smurfs," alongside a host of other actors.

At CinemaCon, Paramount chief Brian Robbins revealed an impressive ensemble cast for the upcoming animated film "The Smurfs Movie," joining Rihanna in her portrayal of Smurfette. The star-studded lineup includes Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, along with Kurt Russell and John Goodman. Robbins humorously remarked that the cast comprised "pretty much the rest of the Screen Actors Guild." He also lauded Rihanna as "the most legendary Smurfette ever."

The announcement follows Rihanna's surprise appearance at CinemaCon last year, where she revealed her involvement in the project as both the voice of Smurfette and a producer alongside Ryan Harris, Laurence “Jay” Brown, and Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith. Additionally, Rihanna will contribute original music to the film.

Based on the beloved characters created by Belgian comics writer and artist Peyo, the movie promises to be a comedic, musical adventure that delves into the question, "What is a Smurf?" Directed by Chris Miller, with co-director Matt Landon, the film is slated for release on February 14, 2025.

Paramount Pictures president and CEO Brian Robbins took the stage to announce updates on the studio's animated projects. He teased an extended trailer for Transformers One, featuring stars Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry, scheduled for wide release on April 18.

Robbins also unveiled details about other animated titles in Paramount's lineup, including Paw Patrol 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, and Aang: The Last Airbender (working title). Paramount, Nickelodeon, and Avatar Studios are collaborating on the Aang film, directed by Lauren Montgomery, set for release on October 10, 2025. The cast includes Dave Bautista as the villain, along with Eric Nam, Dionne Quan, Jessica Matten, and Román Zaragoza. Producers for the film include Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Latifa Ouaou, and Maryann Garger. Robbins expressed excitement about the project, stating, "Fans of the beloved Avatar have been asking, and we've answered the call." This film is the first of three animated films planned for the series.

Lauren Montgomery, known for her work as a storyboard artist and director on the series "Voltron: Legendary Defender," is co-directing the film alongside William Mata. Mata is a seasoned storyboard artist who contributed to projects like "DC League of Super Pets."

Here's a rundown of some upcoming animated releases from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies:

1. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants is scheduled for release on December 19, 2025. Directed by Derek Drymon and based on the iconic series created by Stephen Hillenburg, this installment will feature the original voice cast, including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton). Pam Brady and Lisa Stewart are producing, with Brian Robbins describing it as "the biggest SpongeBob ever."

2. PAW Patrol 3 is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Directed by Cal Brunker, who also helmed the previous two films, this installment is a collaboration between Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, and Spin Master Entertainment. Jennifer Dodge, Laura Clunie, and Toni Stevens are producing. The previous films, "PAW Patrol: The Movie" (2021) and "PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" (2023), were both successful, grossing $144 million and $202 million worldwide, respectively.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 is set to hit theaters on October 9, 2026. Jeff Rowe returns as director for this sequel, which sees the studio partnering with Nickelodeon Movies once again. Seth Rogen is producing alongside Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Ramsay McBean. The film will feature co-directors Kyler Spears and Yashar Kassai as part of the team.

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"The Smurfs Movie" has assembled a star-studded cast to join Rihanna, while Dave Bautista and Eric Nam join the "Airbender" franchise.

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