I previewed this movie a few weeks ago in order to sit down and interview the exciting cast of Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Jow Manganiello as Hefty Smurf, Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf, and Director Kelly Asbury! The movie was a lot of fun (full review next week) and here’s the story:
In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!
Smurfs: The Lost Village Opens Next Friday, April 7th, Read My Review Here!
It was quite exciting to sit down in a room with seven other bloggers, and Demi Lovato and Joe Manganiello, sitting right in front of us! I have been fans of both for years, it was a very thrilling interview session!
Demi was so sweet and mellow! I always ask everyone the same first question when we talk about their work in an animated movie, how is it to act without the other characters to act against! She shared that it was her first animated work. She was happy to portray a strong female role, because if you know Smurfette, you know she is a woman in a land of men, and she is easily their equal (if not smarter on occasion!). Demi was thrilled to portray someone who was adventurous, mischievous, smart and a little vulnerable as you shall see.
This was a perfect segway into Demi sharing that she was an equalist, rather than a feminist. I loved that, that is the way we all need to proceed in our world views!
I also asked Demi about singing. She said she had been away from acting for awhile and wanted to concentrate on that aspect of the movie, so maybe in the next Smurf movie! Lastly, we asked Demi what Smurf she thought she would most identify with. Singing Smurf may be her second choice, but she said her number one choice of Smurf would be Sugar Smurf!
I was so happy to see my favorite werewolf up close, Mr. JoeManganiello. What a hunk! He is Hefty Smurf!
I was thrilled to chat with Joe. What a gentleman. He shared that he was thrilled to be able to participate in a movie that his nieces and nephews could see! He knows his other work is not for them until they are older. Joe liked the fact that all the Smurfs are archetypes, but also not one dimensional. His character of Hefty Smurf is not just all brawn, he also has a romantic side. He also shared there was some ad libbing during the filming and they kept in his phrase, “Little Smurf Bro” when he was referring to Brainy Smurf!
And then we asked Joe what Smurf he would be in real life. That’s when he shared that he was a bit of a bookworm growing up, and he would have been Brainy Smurf. I would have never guessed this big hunk was so much of an intellectual! Lastly, Joe spoke on how when he was voicing his character in the sound booth, he noticed that the cameras were always filming his face. He later saw the movie and saw how incredibly well the cameras caught his facial expressions while he was voicing Hefty, and then got translated onto Hefty’s animated visage!
As soon as Mandy Patinkin walked in the room and opened his mouth, we heard Papa Smurf. Same big, booming voice. He was Papa Smurf, with a more distinguishable voice then anyone in the movie, something the entire room agreed upon.
And I asked my usual question. Mandy did not hold back. He was exuberant. He said he couldn’t have been happier to do this work, it might be his most fun job to date! These are the phrases he uttered: total joy, total freedom, had more fun doing this movie than any other! He was a riot, even sharing that in his downtime he would voice the other Smurfs just for fun. I told the Director that would be a terrific extra bit for the Blu-ray release!
Lastly we heard from Director Kelly Asbury. What a beautiful piece of work he put together! The blues of Smurf world have been expanded upon! He had teams of artists creating the beautiful colors and species in the new worlds we see in the Lost Village!
He was excited to stay true to the work of Peyo, the Smurfs creator. Kelly also spoke about wanting to have a Smurf movie with adult voices. The cartoon voices were OK for TV, but for this movie, he wanted the Smurfs to be seen as adults dealing with their world, rather than being seen as a bunch of kids running around. He did some wonderful casting, read more about it in next week’s review!
And it was such a huge thrill to be able to get a photo with them everyone!
Lastly, here is a great activity for the kids, learn how to draw a Smurf!
OMG, I’m in love with Demi Levato. I love everything she overcame, and I love that she’ll be in a movie about my favorite characters EVER!
Mitch, you really get around! It seems every time I read your posts you’re hanging out with another celeb! I had no idea all these famous people were smurf voices! So cool!
Mitch – you are so cool! What an incredible experience! I adore the smurfs from my own 80s’ childhood and can’t wait to take my kiddos to see the move.
I love the Smurf’s. I grew up watching it. And Demi Lovato is so beautiful
My kids cannot wait to see this movie! How incredible you had a chance to interview these talented characters!
I think it’s so cool that Smurfs is cool again. I remember loving the Smurfs when I was little.
I am really excited to see this new film. What an amazing cast list. Demi seems so sweet and Joe so dreamy!
It is kind of funny that the real-life characters have traits that are so close to the smurf characters they portray. I suppose that is a strong part of what acting is – picking the right characters for the job!
Wow! Must have been awesome to be in the room with these actors. All three sound like friendly, down to earth people. This looks like a fun movie with a great cast.
Oh Mitch this is awesome! I love hearing about all of the people you have interviewed and I loved Smurfs as a child – those Saturday morning cartoons 🙂 Great interview, I look forward to seeing the new film!
there’s not an actor i don’t like! i can’t wait to watch this (for my kids of course) lol. i’m sure they will love it too.
Im so envious! What an amazing opportunity. Thank you for the great pics too! Im a huge fan of Joe and Mandy.
I had no idea Mandy Patinkin was Papa Smurf! I loved him on Criminal Minds and Dead Like Me!
I had no idea Demi was in this movie as a voice! How cool!
I like to see the faces behind the characters. And my daughter would FLIP if she was in the same room with Demi Lovato. 🙂
What an awesome experience to see and talk with these great artists! I remember watching the Smurfs on TV when my daughter was still a little girl. OMG, now she’s a mother herself and I sit here wondering where did the years go! Demi Lovato is a good fit to do the voice of Smurfette!
I am a huge Mandy Patinkin fan, but had no idea he was in this movie until I read your interview! This looks like an awesome movie and I’m even more excited to take my kids to see it now that I see all the great stars in it!
How awesome! Demi Lovato is a great singer and it’s nice that she got to voice Smurfette! I can’t wait to watch this movie with my daughter. I’m sure it’s going to be great!
Oh, wow. How cool! I love Demi Lovato. She is a pure talent! I bet you had a blast on this trip. eal
Very nice! I love Demi and Joe. It looks like you had a great time and met up with quite a few great people. Thank you
looks interesting..the kids will probably love it..i missed the whole smurf craze..thats just me.
What a fabulous group of actors you got to meet with and interview. All sound so interesting. This will be a must see movie – absolutely fun and adorable.
I was following a few of you all on this press junket and it was so exciting. I grew up on the Smurfs and glad they got another animated movie series.
This is a film that at the top of my list to see. I’m amazed at the cast you were able to meet. My Daughter grew up watching the Smurfs and I can’t wait for the Grandkids to see it. I still have pictures of my Daughter at the Smurf Village at Carowinds Theme Park.