Smurfs hit New York City – First Look!

USA Today had much to report this morning on a certain blue film project. In case you had not heard, there will be blue, that is, there will be a big screen Smurfs movie. The film will be live action, but the Smurfs themselves will be computer generated characters interacting with the “real world” and real live actors to boot. Of course it will be presented in 3D, because that’s the trend right now, for better or worse. Did I mention the real world the little blue men (and women) will be interacting with is New York City? Oh yes!

In the upcoming film’s plot, arch nemesis Gargamel (portrayed by Hank Azaria), along with his little cat Azreal, will invade the mystical smurf village. In the confusion and with special thanks to Clumsy Smurf and his… well clumsiness. Director Raja Gosnell (Scooby Doo) reports, the smurfs tumble into a “forbidden grotto” where, “because it’s a blue moon, there’s a magical portal that transports them to Central Park.” Gotta watch out for those blue moons. Yep, the Smurfs and their little shapely hats go from the middle ages to modern day in the film set for an August 2011 release. A trailer is scheduled to hit tomorrow!

The casting news we’ve got so far is that songstress Katy Perry (no wonder her hair is blue right now) will voice Smurfette. Vivacious comedian Sofia Vergara has been linked also to the movie, although USA Today suggests the live actors, husband and wife in the film, Neil Patrick Harris and Glee‘s Jayma Mays, will portray people who encounter and attempt to aid the Smurfs. We’ll try to clear up the confusion when we get more news. Brainy Smurf, Gutsy Smurf, and Papa Smurf will also be in the traveling smurf entourage.