Rihanna is set to star in the new Smurfs film as well as produce the project and create original songs.
Variety reports that the singer and business mogul has been cast as Smurfette in the upcoming, untitled film. She made an appearance at CinemaCon Thursday to announce the news. During the announcement, she joked, “I tried to get the Papa Smurf role but it didn’t work out.”
Rihanna will not only star in the film, but she will write and record original songs for the film as well as produce. Ramsey Naito, the head of Paramount Animation, also announced at the event that the film will dive deep into identity themes, particularly the question, “What is a Smurf?”
“On behalf of our studio and our creative partners at LAFIG, we couldn’t be more excited to have found our Smurfette in one of the most beloved stars in the world,” Brian Robbins, President and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, and Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation said in a statement. “With Rihanna’s singular creative appeal and musical talents, there is an enormous opportunity to elevate the cultural touchstone of The Smurfs universe in a way that’s never been done before.”
Previous iterations of live-action Smurf films have starred another singer, Katy Perry. While it’s not stated if Smurfette was cast specifically for singers in mind, it is interesting how the character has been voiced by singers twice in a row.
Directed by Chris Miller and written by Pam Brady based on characters by Belgian comic book artist Peyo, Untitled Smurfs Animated Film will come to theaters Feb. 14, 2025. The film will also be produced by Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith and Ryan Harris. The film comes from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in partnership with LAFIG and The Smurfs parent company, IMPS.
Rihanna recently featured her singing in the Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her song, “Lift Me Up,” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.
