UPDATE: Neil Patrick Harris confirmed on Twitter that Gargamel won’t be animated, the character will be live action. “Hank Azaria will be PLAYING Gargamel for the Smurfs film, not just providing a voice. He’ll be live action. Perfect casting, can’t wait!”
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Hank Azaria (“The Simpsons”) will voice evil sorcerer Gargamel in Sony’s The Smurfs.
The magazine also says that Jayma Mays (“Glee”) will play the pregnant wife to Neil Patrick Harris’ character. The film centers on the happy expectant couple’s lives being turned upside-down upon meeting these blue creatures. The movie will take place in New York City’s Central Park and is set to begin production next month.
Jonathan Winters, who voiced multiple characters on the long-running Hanna-Barbera cartoon version of “Smurfs,” will play Papa Smurf. Katy Perry will portray Smurfette, Alan Cumming is taking on Gutsy Smurf and George Lopez is onboard as Grouchy Smurf.
The studio is targeting a August 3, 2011 release.
