The choir blue creatures are returning, and this moment, world music phenomenon Rihanna is taking the wheel as Smurfette in the coming Smurfs movie.

The film, slated for a 2025 release, will deliver a new spin on the longstanding franchise, combining drama, comedy, and music to thrill viewers young and old alike. The new trailer — which was revealed during the Super Bowl — sees Smurfette, voiced by Rihanna, embark on a thrilling mission to save Papa Smurf from the dastardly wizards Razamel and Gargamel.

Rihanna’s Smurfette Ain’t Just Fashion Honey

The Smurfs franchise has become a beloved staple for kids and nostalgic adult fans alike, making Rihanna’s involvement that much more exciting. With her powerhouse voice and a charisma that sings through any medium, Rihanna’s casting as Smurfette promises a new take on the character. Once voiced by pop stars like Katy Perry and Demi Lovato, Smurfette is one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces. The Super Bowl trailer suggests that Rihanna’s iteration will be full of sass, determination and humor, ensuring the artist’s version of the character is truly unique.

A New Animation Style and Musical Influence

The visual approach is one of the most striking elements of the Smurfs trailer. Staying away from previous entries that leaned heavily on CGI and 3D animation, the new take embraces a colorful, 2D-inspired aesthetic that recalls classic cartoons. This artistic choice keeps the film feeling fresh but familiar, striking a balance between homage and modernity with respect to the original comics.

Moreover, the trailer teases musical numbers, which means Rihanna will make her imprint not just via dialogue, but also through the soundtrack of the film. There are rumors that original songs or even a reimagining of beloved tunes may make the cut, adding to the film’s charm.

The Smurfs’ Biggest Challenge Yet

The plot helps the Smurfs go on an exciting mission to save Papa Smurf from the hands of the vicious Gargamel, and his new accomplice, Razamel. Smurfette will lead the propulsive journey out of their mellow mushroom dwelling and into the city—to battle new challenges and dangers.

The lighthearted style that has defined the film is still there, but the stakes seem higher than ever, which makes for a truly engaging balance of action and heart. In other words, the film, guided by Chris Miller, director of Shrek the Third and Puss in Boots, should provide another fun escapade with plot elements that will back it up and make it not just one campy thrill after the next, but something with true, meaningful narrative.

Why Rihanna’s Casting Is a Game Changer

Rihanna’s engagement is more than just a casting decision — it’s a calculated effort to give the Smurfs properties a facelift to appeal to a new generation. Her worldwide cult, munching on music, fashion and film, introduces a new assortment of followers to the franchise. And if we are going to be treated to a performance that is capable of exuding emotion and giving depth to its role, then that means that Smurfette will not be a mere secondary character, she will be the headliner of the movie.

Making music a part of the artist’s animated work also plays to Rihanna’s strengths, so bringing the ocean’s worth of hot-ness that she would bring to Smurfs, then that is a perfect fit to her. Whether making original returns or with a soundtrack curated by the Diamonds singer herself, expect Rihanna’s sonic plan to enhance the experience of the movie overall.

Smurfs Have a Bright Future Ahead

When the new Smurfs movie arrives, it’ll be a new era for the franchise, and one that’s being led by a brand new voice, an engaging storyline, and a different animation style. While Smurfs movies in the past involved a mix of live-action and CGI — an approach a little too familiar at this point — this adaptation seems content to exist within a fully animated world, which could serve it well.

With a talented cast, engaging plot, and a visually stunning approach, Smurfs is poised to be one of 2025’s most anticipated animated releases. Rihanna’s Smurfette promises to reinvent the character, bringing the pizzazz, flair, and a musical twist that’ll probably render this flick a showstopper in the franchise’s canon.

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