‘Homeland’ star to voice Papa Smurf in all-animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation directed by Kelly Asbury.
Homeland star Mandy Patinkin is in negotiations to provide the voice of Papa Smurf in Sony Pictures Animation’s reboot of The Smurfs, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.
Kelly Asbury, director of Shrek 2 and Gnomeo & Juliet, is helming the feature project, which will tell the origin story of the Smurfs.
SPA previously made two live action/CG animation hybrid Smurfs movies, which together grossed roughly $910 million worldwide. This new, as-yet untitled project will be fully animated, and reportedly more in line with the designs, tone and look of the works of Peyo, the creator of the popular blue-skinned characters.
Jonathan Winters voiced Papa Smurf, the wise, paternal leader of the Smurfs, in both movies, while Don Messick voiced the beloved character in the long-running animated series from the 1980s.
The new movie, to be released on August 5, 2016, is being produced by Jordan Kerner and co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder.
Smurfs is a rare venture into animation for Patinkin. He previously voiced Hattori in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises, and Basil in the 2011 indie feature Jock the Hero Dog.
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
