Paramount Pictures has announced that the multi-talented singer and fashion icon, Rihanna, has signed on to star as Smurfette in a new The Smurfs reboot. The film, which is currently untitled, will be a musical which, in part, explains Rihanna's inclusion.
The media behemoth made this announcement during its special panel at the recently concluded CinemaCon 2023, where the popstar made a surprise appearance alongside Paramount Animation head honcho Ramsey Naito.
During the announcement, Naito revealed that the film will focus on themes of identity with its characters attempting to discover and answer the question "What is a Smurf?"
Brian Robbins, the president of Paramount and Nickelodeon, expressed his excitement at Rihanna's casting. He stated, "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. 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."
Besides her role as Smurfette, Rihanna will write and record original songs for the film, as well as serve as one of the film's producers. Pam Brady, best known for her work on South Park, penned its script, while Chris Miller, whose portfolio includes Shrek the Third and Puss in Boots, will direct.