‘The Smurfs’ return in new 3D animated series
Skwigly
Presented in development at the 2018 Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA), The Smurfs, a new animated series produced by Dupuis Edition et Audiovisuel with Peyo Productions, for TF1 in France, heralds the revival of the famous little blue creatures on television.
Distributed internationally by IMPS, the series made its world premiere on RTS in Switzerland and RTBF and VRT in Belgium in mid-April, and is now preparing to move into France and Germany before conquering the whole world.
The adventures of the characters created by Peyo in 1958 were transferred from the comics to the screen in 1959. The small screen to begin with, already with Dupuis, then the American studio Hannah Barbera (Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Wacky Races, etc.) and then the big screen, always with the same success. However, they have not been adapted for television since the late 1980s.
© Peyo Productions/Dupuis Edition et Audiovisuel/Dargaud Media/KIKA/KETNET/RTBF.be-2021 (Image via Adalbert & Cie)
With Peyo Productions and Dupuis Edition et Audiovisuel, these stars, and their legendary use of language, will be back on screen starting 9 May in France on TFOU, in a brand new, totally updated 3D animated series: 52 original 11′ stories directed by William Renaud (Calimero, A Kind of Magic…), colourful characters (and not just because they’re nearly all blue), a whole team of daring and inventive girl Smurfs alongside Smurfette, and great punchy dialogues!
A joyful mixture for both girls and boys from six to ten years old, but which will also allow older children to enjoy rediscovering the essence of the comics.
For Dupuis Édition et Audiovisuel, which was involved in the first animated adventures of the Smurfs back in the 1960s, it is extremely exciting to revisit this universe in this ambitious new series, alongside Peyo Productions and in collaboration with TF1. This is a key project for our studio, in which all the teams have been particularly involved. We are very proud to be able to contribute to bringing today’s children these new 3D images showing the marvellous adventures of these characters, full of kindness, mischief and sparkle, things we need so much of in this day and age.
-Caroline Duvochel, series producer
We are delighted to welcome the Smurfs to TFOU for new adventures, each one funnier than the last. This comedy/adventure series has its rightful place in our schedule as the world of these friendly little blue creatures and their very special language fits perfectly with TFOU’s mischievous yet caring tone. By giving the series consistent and powerful exposure on all its platforms, the TF1 group acts as a unique and strong sounding board for the franchise, whose licence is already managed by TF1 Licences.
-Yann Labasque, director of youth programming at TF1
Véronique Culliford, founder and president of Peyo Productions and IMPS (distribution) and
Peyo’s daughter added that she was:
…very happy to be able to continue my father’s work once again by co-producing a new Smurfs TV series. And this, almost 40 years after the world-famous original series. You will discover Smurfs in “3D” effect, like in the last film The Smurfs and the Lost Village, with a lot of humour and lots of adventures full of twists and turns. This co-production has the best actors on the market and will enchant both young and old for decades to come!