Get psyched for a Smurftastic future!

The Smurfs are one of those things that you simply cannot analyze too much. They're little, they're blue, they live in mushroom-land, and although there's only 1 female in the species: they've survived and they're making a comeback in a big way.

Lets start with the movie & then look at the toy side of things.

Thanks to Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation, the Smurfs will be coming back to life in the form of a live-action/animated motion picture.

Sony obtained film rights from Lafig Belgium via Jordan Kerner (who stays on as a producer of the film). Kerner had secured film rights to the Smurfs property in 2002 and since then has been working on the 3-D CGI feature at Paramount/Nickelodeon.

I was a definitely a fan of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, however, I really had no idea what I was watching & why I was watching it. I think as long as I had high-fructose cereal, a blanket and the knowledge that a grilled cheese was a mere "maaaaaaa" away: I'd watch anything! Who knows why the Smurfs were as popular as they were (and obviously still are in many ways) but the brand is truly a remarkable success story.

“The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises, and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world,” Columbia co-president Doug Belgrad said. “We’re very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other smurftastic Smurfs in all of their ‘three-apple-tall’ glory.”

O.k., so a movie is on its way. The real questions for all of us Smurf-crazed fans is: who is making the toys & what exactly can we expect in that regard!?

Answer: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

Their 2009 Collection of Smurf Plush is expected to include: individual characters, Beanbag Plush, Plush with DVD, Theme Packs, Accessory Packs, Vehicle Packs, Mushroom House Play-set & Deluxe Windmill Play-set.

I wonder if kids today will fall under that same bizzare Smurf spell. My guess is: If Alvin & the Chipmunks can do it: Papa Smurf will be juuuuuuuust fine.