The Smurfs 2 (2022 film)

The Smurfs 2 is a 2022 American computer-animated jukebox musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Jim Henson Company, LAFIG Belgium, and Peyo Productions. The 60th Disney animated feature film, the second main installment and the third overall installment in The Smurfs franchise, serving as the sequel of The Smurfs, loosely based on The Smurfs comic book series created by the Belgian comics artist Peyo, it was directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Garth Jennings, co-directed by Teen Titans Go! creators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, and produced by Clark Spencer, Brian Henson, Toby Ascher, and Janet Healy from a screenplay by Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky, Matthew Fogel, and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger and a story by Howard, Bush, Jennings, Pamela Ribon, Aibel, Berger, Horvath, Jelenic, and Fogel. The film stars Jason Bateman, Neil Patrick Harris, Ginnifer Goodwin, Tika Sumpter, Katy Perry, Dustin Hoffman, Channing Tatum, Natasha Rothwell, Reese Witherspoon, Charlie Day, Scarlett Johansson, Peter Dinklage, Will Arnett, Kevin Hart, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Andy Samberg, Clark Duke, Katie Crown, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Elisa Gabrielli, Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Conrad Vernon and Jim Carrey reprising their voice acting roles from the first film, with Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, who voiced Eddie Noodleman in the first film, voices Hiphop Smurf in this film, while Jamie Foxx replacing Tom Lister Jr., the voice of Finnick, who died on December 10, 2020. New additions to the cast including Ryan Reynolds, Zendaya, Bill Hader, Emma Stone, Bobby Cannavale, Letitia Wright, Don Cheadle, will.i.am, Antonio Banderas, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti, Michelle Rodriguez, Ellie Kemper, Ariel Winter, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Alec Baldwin, Leslie Mann, Selena Gomez, Anderson .Paak, Alex Winter, Becky G, Anthony Ramos, Dan Levy, J. P. Karliak, Xolo Maridueña, Amy Sedaris, Common, Bono, Kelly Clarkson, Julie Andrews, Asher Blinkoff, Madison Polan and Halsey were added to the cast. 
Directors Howard, Rich Moore and Jennings talked about a potential sequel to The Smurfs in September 2016. In January 2017, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that a sequel was in development, with the title and release date being revealed in January 2019, with Bush replacing Moore as director in the following month. Along with Horvath and Jelenic were been hired to direct the film. And by June 2021, the musical score was composed by Brian Tyler replacing Michael Giacchino from the first film, along with writing and recording original songs. With a runtime of 132 minutes, it is the longest animated film ever produced by an American studio, the first "The Smurfs" film with a female protagonist, along with Hotel Transylvania: Escape 2 Internet (2018), which starrer Mavis, and the film draws inspiration of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Trolls World Tour (2020).
The Smurfs 2 was premiered on June 8, 2022 at Microsoft Theater, and released on June 22, 2022 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Like it’s predecessor, the film was received positive reviews from critics and grossed over $1.4 billions worldwide against a production budget of $200 million, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of 2022 and the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2022. The Smurfs 2 was also the third film released in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to reach the $1.4 billion milestone. The film was winning for Best Animated Feature at the 95th Academy Awards, 80th Golden Globe Awards, 50th Annie Awards, and 28th Critics' Choice Awards, and received numerous other accolades. The film was dedicated to Tom Lister Jr., the voice of Finnick, who died on December 10, 2020. The film's soundtrack also became a success, reaching number one on the US Billboard 200 and UK Compilation Albums charts.
The Smurfs 3 is scheduled by 2025, a live-action adaptation was released on December 22, 2023, with Disney and Henson to produce the film, and a Pixar animated reboot, titled The Smurfs Movie, was released on March 1, 2024, while having an all new cast (with the exception of Frank Welker as Azrael). 
==Plot==
Six years after the events of the first film, Smurfette later receives a letter from someone, inviting her to unite the trolls. Papa Smurf explains there were once six kind that represented major tribes of music - Techno, Funk, Classical, Country, Hard Rock, and Pop, but the six tribes went their separate ways after their differences broke into arguments. Papa Smurf, Guy, and the others do not trust the invitation including her. In Los Francisco, Nick Wilde left his job in Zootopia to start a company selling his own inventions on direct response television. The night before the party of their son Blue's fifth birthday, Nick hosts Junior's family, Buster Moon, his family and friends, and finds out that Nick's ex-fiancée, Gia who didn’t invited at the party, however, she came the party.
In Redshore City, Gargamel and Azrael are now celebrities, amazing people with Gargamel's sorcery, but he is running low on the Smurf essence that gives him his magic powers. With his new creations, evil Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties, named Vexy and Hackus, Gargamel creates a portal to Smurf Village by using the Eiffel Tower as a conduit so that he can kidnap Smurfette as revenge on The Smurfs for previously defeating him and, through her, obtain Papa's secret formula for creating Smurfs. However, Gargamel is too large to go through the portal, so he sends Vexy through it to kidnap Smurfette.
The Smurfs witness the abduction of Smurfette and inform Papa, who uses his magic to create crystals that allow several of his Smurfs to travel directly to the residence of their anthropomorphic animals allies, Nick Wilde, Buster Moon and their groups, in Los Francisco in order to seek his help to rescue Smurfette. Papa originally intends for Brainy, Hefty and Gutsy to use the crystals, but through an accident, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity use them instead. The Smurfs arrive in Nick's ball room right after the celebration of Blue's birthday where they meet Nick's stepbrother, Victor Doyle, who is a constant embarrassment to Nick. The Smurfs soon discover Gargamel is in Redshore City and set off with the Wildes, the groupes and Victor to find him. Nick takes his partner Finnick, pilot Tulip and his friends.
Upon arrival in Redshore City, the plane runs out of fuel and crash lands in Redshore City they are denied entry into Crystal Entertainment but sneak in for an audition with entertainment mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal. While Nick was attacked by a tough old woman in Toy Store. As Jimmy is uninterested in Buster's original show pitch, Gunter suggests a space-themed sci-fi musical that features songs from Clay Calloway, a legendary rock star lion who has not been seen in 15 years after his wife Ruby died. Intrigued and assuming Clay will be a part of the show, Jimmy greenlights it and lets Buster and his friends stay at his hotel during production. The family find themselves at a watering hole on a nature reserve, and are excited to meet others of their species. Nick is reunited with his parents and impresses them with tales of his status as "the king of Zootopia". Junior sees Zuba and Hope's daughter, Sunny, and falls in love with her at first sight. Junior fits in with a herd of other storks who look and sound just like him. Thunk, a hypochondriac, is distressed that the reserve has no doctors, so the other giraffes appoint him their witch doctor. Seeking romance, Tulip attracts the attention of the smooth-talking male hippo Moto Moto. Miss Crawly finds where Clay lives and goes to visit him, but he scares her away with a series of booby traps. Judy Hopps accept a post with the RSCPD. Mrs. Otterton unexpectedly barges into Ox's office, pleading for someone to find her husband Emmitt, one of fourteen missing predators. Meanwhile, Hard Rock Smurfs led by Queen Barb arrive Redshore City. 
During a rehearsal, Rosita develops a fear of heights, prompting Buster to give Rosita's role to Jimmy's daughter, Porsha, on his insistence while Rosita is relegated to a minor role. Buster interest that Sunny will be a part of the show, but she refuse. Johnny has been assigned to work with top choreographer monkey Klaus Kickenklober, but his harsh teaching methods leave Johnny unable to learn. Johnny later comes across a street dancer lynx named Nooshy, who agrees to help him out. Meena has been cast in a romantic scene with Darius, an egocentric actor yak. Sunny takes advice from Junior and to be in the show. Having never been in love, Meena is unable to get the feelings across during their scene. She later meets and falls in love with an ice cream vendor elephant named Alfonso. Meanwhile, the penguins set about repairing the plane, assisted by numerous chimpanzees recruited by Mason and Phil. They steal vehicles from humans on a safari and strip them for parts, including G. U. N. vehicles. Meanwhile, Junior and Sunny enjoys exploring the more Redshore City. When the lovers arrive at Mike and Julie's house, Julie unsuccessfully attempts to make Sunny feel more comfortable inviting other monster/animals couples over. 
Feeling like a stranger, Sunny retreats up to the roof, and Junior tells her that if they stay together, persuading her to stay at Zootopia. Judy interrogation Manchas explains that, prior to attacking him, Emmitt yelled about "Night Howlers". Jimmy eventually finds out that Buster never contacted Clay about the show and threatens to harm Buster if he does not deliver. Ash and Buster are going to Clay, however Manchas turns savage, chasing the pair, and vanishes. Ash and Buster visit Clay to convince him to be in the show. He refuses at first, but Ash changes his mind. Judy and Nick reunite with Thunk, who reveals that he is the long-lost son of King Quincy and Queen Essence, and twin brother of their son Darnell.
Nick, Buster and Maddie work with Victor to distract Gargamel during one of his performances, while the Smurfs sneak backstage in Gargamel's dressing room to look for Smurfette, only to discover what Gargamel is planning. At the same time, Smurfette escapes from her prison, and Vexy and Hackus chase after her. Vexy encourages her to become one of them, claiming that naughty is fun, but are captured by bounty hunters after they're rescued by a smooth-talking Country Smurf named Hickory and they're also captured by leaf-covered creatures, who reveal themselves to be female Smurfs. They are taken to Smurfy Grove, and meet Smurf Blossom, Smurf Storm, Smurf Lily, Smurf Melody, and their leader, Smurf Willow, who all welcome the Smurfs to their home. Upon her return to Gargamel's hotel suite with the Naughties, Gargamel presents her with a tiny dragon wand as a feigned act of kindness. At the wedding reception, Judy saves the Smurfs by a cart. Rachel's fiancé Randall and his wedding guests reveal themselves as agents of COVNET and arrest the Smurfs, Nick and Victor, who are then saved by Judy, Maddie, Barb and others Smurfs and a vengeful Rachel, who reconciles with Randall, and arrest COVNET agents by reveal themselves as double agents of undercover agents of Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.); that Nick is work with the GUN after all, for the misunderstanding. Following the wolves, the duo and the Smurfs locates Emmitt, Manchas, and the other missing predators, who are all "savage" and imprisoned in a hidden asylum. Redshore City's mayor, ordered their capture, and is trying to quietly ascertain the cause of their feral behavior. 
Back at the theater, Buster asks Porsha to switch roles with Rosita, as Porsha's acting skills are poor. Porsha misinterprets this as Buster firing her and runs off. Thunk comes to believe that he is deathly ill and, having secretly loved Tulip for a long time, is saddened by Tulip's interest in Moto Moto. The four friends argue heatedly with one another. Thunk has a date with Moto Moto, but loses interest when she realizes he is only attracted to her because of her size. During dinner, tensions escalate, and Rick accidentally reveals the plan hatched with Zuba. Fed up with the Wildes' condescension and their differences, the Hopps decide to leave, while Victor opts to stay behind. After a pep talk from Julien, Thunk finally reveals his feelings for Tulip. Wracked with guilt, Judy quits her job and she says that they will move out in Los Francisco. Guy later discovers that Smurfette will give the secret formula to Gargamel, and Guy was coming to help. There, she learns that "Night Howlers" are actually Midnicampum flowers, which have severe, lasting psychotropic effects if ingested. Realizing that someone is deliberately using the flowers to turn predators savage. 
Smurfette still refuses to give Gargamel the formula until she sees the Naughties are dying due to a lack of Smurf essence. Faced without an alternative to save them, Smurfette writes the formula down and Gargamel uses it to turn the Naughties into real Smurfs. Immediately after they become Smurfs, Gargamel puts them into his Smurfalator so he can carry out the rest of his plan. 
Meanwhile, Judy, Nick, Junior, Sunny, Victor, Gia and the Smurfs work together to rescue Smurfette along with Guy, while the pair interrogates Weaselton, who admits he was hired by a ram named Doug to steal the Night Howler bulbs. They find Doug in a laboratory hidden in the city subway, where he manufactures a Night Howler serum to be shot at predators via a dart pistol. Judy and Nick obtain a serum gun as evidence, but before they can save Smurfette and reach the RSCPD, while Guy and Smurfette reconcile and others Smurfs help them. Papa Smurf, having discovered the quartet's absence, arrives to bring them home, and the female Smurfs and other Smurfs accept him into their home. An outraged Jimmy nearly drops Buster off his penthouse roof after news of the supposed firing is broadcast on television before locking him in a closet. Suki later frees Buster and warns him to leave Redshore City before Jimmy can kill him. Thunk, forlorn and believing he is dying, volunteers to be sacrificed. Tulip stops him from jumping into the volcano, and realizes that he loves her for more than her appearance. During their time together, Hope finally comes to terms with her prejudice against Hopps and accepts them as equals.
Ash arrives at the hotel room with the crew and Clay, who advises Buster not to run and hide as he did. Buster decides to have the cast and crew put on the show that night behind Jimmy's back after he witnesses Jimmy insulting him and his friends on television. Porsha rejoins the show, Johnny calls his paroled father and his gang to come over and keep Jimmy and his bodyguards at bay, and Rosita calls her husband Norman to let their children distract security. 
During the show, a jealous Klaus takes the place of Johnny's performance partner to undermine his number, but Johnny defeats Klaus with encouragement from Nooshy and the other dancers, finally earning Klaus' respect. Porsha performs a high energy song and dance number, standing up to her enraged father. Meena visualizes Darius as Alfonso, Junior and Sunny joins, and successfully performs a romantic duet with him, while Victor and Gia reconcile. However, the Smurfs are soon captured and put into the Smurfalator, powering Gargamel's large-sized dragon wand. In a last attempt to stop the show, Jimmy drops Buster off a high catwalk, which forces Rosita to overcome her fear of heights to save Buster from Jimmy, while Victor and Ericka reconcile. Nick and Zuba arrive just in time to destroy the Smurfalator together, causing an explosion of Smurf essence that destroys the written formula and frees the Smurfs from their cages. When the time comes for Clay to take the stage, he claims that he is not ready yet. Ash leads the crowd in a rendition of one of Clay's songs, giving him the courage to perform. Everyone is blasted out of Gargamel's lair through a sewer hole where Nick reunite with Judy, Maddie, Blue, Buster and others, restoring their music and colors. 
After the curtain call, Jimmy tries to take credit for the show only for Suki to have him Buster records Jimmy's confession with Judy's carrot pen, and her accomplices are arrested by the police and Zuba tricks him into being subdued by Old Lady. Junior confesses that he "zinged" with Sunny, to Nick, Judy and his family' surprise. Gargamel reappears out of the sewer hole only to be blasted away by Smurfette with her new wand. He then falls onto the Notre Dame Cathedral, where he accidentally brings a stone gargoyle to life, which then throws him to the top of the Eiffel Tower where fireworks are then set off, sending him into the air. The Smurfs bid farewell to the Wildes, then return home with Barb, Vexy, Hackus and others Smurfs to celebrate Smurfette's birthday, while Guy propose to Smurfette. Zuba offers Nick the title of alpha fox, but he declines, believing the title belongs to his father. Zuba claims the title belongs to them both, and father and son become co-leaders. Skipper marries a bobblehead doll from the plane, and he, the other penguins, and the chimpanzees head off to honeymoon in Exotopolis. Junior proposes to Sunny, who gets tongue-tied at the question before accepting. The foursome and the lemurs happily decide to stay on Redshore City for a while. Just as Suki tells them that a theater called The Majestic wants to put on their show. As the cast puts on its first official performance, Buster watches from the VIP section, proud to have succeeded in Redshore City. And the Smurfs comes to Nick's family to stay as a part of the family.
In two post-credit sequences, Gargamel and Azrael are pulled into the portal, sending them back to their castle, and they later have a fight.
== Cast ==
=== Animals and Humans ===
* Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, a sly red fox, who is Victor's step-brother
* Jim Carrey as Gargamel, an evil wizard
* Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Wilde, a young optimistic rabbit from Bunnyburrow, Nick's wife, Blue's mother and Victor's step-sister-in-law, a newly appointed member of the Zootopia Police Department, assigned to the 1st Precinct, and joined to Redshore City Police Department.
* Ryan Reynolds as Victor Doyle, a red fox, who is Nick and Maddie's step-brother, Judy and Buster's step-father-in-law and Blue's step-grandfather
* Emma Stone as Gia, a red fox, Nick's ex-fiancée, Victor's love interest and later wife.
* Neil Patrick Harris as Buster Moon, a koala who owns the New Moon Theater and Nick's friend.
** Harris also voices Steve, a monkey-kitten
* Tika Sumpter as Maddie Moon, a red fox, who is Buster's wife, Nick's brother, Lola's mother and Victor's step-brother
* Andy Samberg as Junior, a white stork
* Selena Gomez as Sunny Wilde, Zuba and Hope's daughter who is Junior's love interest, befriends Judy and Eep and is Nick and Maddie's young sister.
*Clark Duke as Thunk, a giraffe
*Katie Crown as Tulip, a hippopotamus
* Danny McBride as Rick Hopps, a European rabbit from Bunnyburrow, who is the nature-obsessed and carrot farmer father of Judy, Rachel and Aaron, and Linda's husband
* Maya Rudolph as Linda Hopps, a European rabbit from Bunnyburrow, who is the mother of Judy, Rachel and Aaron, Rick's wife and a carrot farm.
* Mike Rianda as Aaron Hopps, the dinosaur-loving son of Rick and Linda, and Judy and Rachel's younger brother
* Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien XIII, a ring-tailed lemur and the king of the lemurs
* Cedric the Entertainer as Maurice, a aye-aye
* Andy Richter as Mort, a Goodman's mouse lemur
* Alec Baldwin as Zuba Wilde, Nick's father and the alpha fox.
* Leslie Mann as Hope Wilde, Nick's mom and Zuba's wife.
* Octavia Spencer as Mrs. Otterton, a concerned North American river otter whose husband Emmitt has gone missing.
* Chrissy Teigen as Hailey Posey, the Hopps' neighbor and Jim's wife whose respect Linda has often sought
* John Legend as Jim Posey, the Hopps' neighbor and Hailey's husband
* Charlyne Yi as Abbey Posey, the dinosaur-loving daughter of the Hopps' neighbors, Jim and Hailey Posey, and Aaron's crush
* Megan Mullally as Linda Loughran, a white stork and Junior's mother
* Jesse Corti as Manchas, a black jaguar from Redshore City who is a chauffeur for Redshore City's biggest limo company and is the personal chauffeur to Zuba.
*Natasha Rothwell as Rachel, a Holland Lop rabbit, who is Judy's older sister who has an extreme dislike of Nick yet attempts to make up with him for the sake of her wedding to Randall.
*Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, a pig and mother of 25 piglets who recently realized her singing dreams
*Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a porcupine punk rock guitarist
*Taron Egerton as Johnny, Big Daddy's son, a teenage gorilla singer and pianist
*Bobby Cannavale as Jimmy Crystal, a white wolf and media owner who owns Crystal Entertainment
*Tori Kelly as Meena, a slightly shy teenage elephant with an exquisite singing voice
*Nick Kroll as Gunter, a passionate dancing pig and Rosita's dance partner
*Asher Blinkoff as Blue Wilde, Nick and Judy's son and Victor's step-grandson
* Madison Polan as Lola Moon, Buster and Maddie's daughter
* Common as as King Quincy, Thunk and Darnell’s father
* Amy Sedaris as Queen Essence, Thunk and Darnell’s mother
* Anderson .Paak as Darnell, Thunk's twin brother
*Shemar Moore as Randall Handel, a optimistic rabbit, Rachel's fiancé who is a GUN agent (and later AVL agent) and is set to become Molly's step-father-in-law.
* Liam Neeson as Commander Walters Ramsbottom, a lion who is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Staff who is now the director the leader of the military organization Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.).
*Kelsey Grammer as Commander Hunter, a cruel white stork who is the leader of C.O.V.N.E.T.
*Pharrell Williams as Alfonso, an elephant and ice cream vendor who becomes Meena's real-life love interest
*Halsey as Porsha Crystal, Jimmy's daughter who is a talented singer
*will.i.am as Moto Moto, a hippopotamus who is attracted to Gloria
*Chelsea Peretti as Suki Lane, Jimmy's haughty Saluki assistant and talent scout
*Letitia Wright as Nooshy, a lynx street dancer who becomes Johnny's dance instructor
*Jon Lovitz as Erik, the Phantom of the Opera.
*Eric André as Darius, an egocentric yak who plays Meena's love interest in the show
*Adam Buxton as Klaus Kickenklober, a harsh and prideful proboscis monkey dance instructor
*Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly, an elderly iguana with a glass eye who works as Buster's assistant
** Jennings also voices the bus terminal, and the airbag from a rental car
*Peter Serafinowicz as Big Daddy, a mobster gorilla and Johnny's father who is now on work release
*Sofia Vergara as Nana Noodleman, a sheep and former singing star
*Jamie Foxx as Finnick, a fennec fox who is Nick's partner. He was previously voiced by Tom Lister Jr. in the first film.
*Nick Offerman as Norman, a pig and Rosita's husband
**Offerman also voices Michael "Mike" Loughran, a white stork and Junior's father
*Bono as Clay Calloway, a white-maned aged lion who was once a rock star legend until his wife Ruby died
*Tom McGrath as Skipper, the leader of the penguins
*Chris Miller as Kowalski, a penguin and Skipper's right hand
*Christopher Knights as Private, an eager, lowly penguin
*John DiMaggio as Rico, a smart and silent penguin who is only expressed through grunts and squeals.
*Conrad Vernon as Mason, a chimpanzee (Phil, the other main chimpanzee, is unvoiced)
*Katie Lowes as Dr. Madge Honey Badger, a honey badger scientist who helps Mayor look for the cause of the animals' savagery
*Frank Welker as Azrael
*T. J. Miller as Pandragora, an easygoing monster with tentacled hair that lives in Redshore City.
*Nick Swardson as Kelsey, a bearded wolf who is Mike and Julie's neighbor.
*Chris Kattan as Kakie, a cake monster from Blue' favorite television series.
*Elisa Gabrielli as Old Lady
*Chris Sanders as Stitch, Nick's pet
**Sanders also voices Belt, Guy's pet sloth
*Tara Strong as Angel, Sunny's pet. Strong had previously voices in Lilo & Stitch: The Series.
In addition, Julia Davis voices Linda le Bon, a horse and host of a talk show, while George Foreman plays himself, Spike Jonze has an uncredited voice role as Jerry, a cat who is Jimmy's personal assistant, Jenny Slate as Dawn Bellwether, a sheep who is the mayor of Redshore City, Britney Spears as Giselle, a Thomson's gazelle who is a famous pop star, Stephen Kramer Glickman as Pigeon Toady, an awkward and nosy pigeon working at Wilde Times Corporation who is eager to get any kind of attention, and Dana Carvey has an uncredited voice role as a monkey who is Nick's assistant.
Amongst the voices of Rosita and Norman's piglets is co-director Michael Jelenic's daughter, Juliet Jelenic, who voices the piglet that goes splashing in chocolate. Director Jennings' wife, Louise Jennings, voices a dog worker making Meena's costume for the show, while the couple's four children, Asa, Caspar, Leo and Oscar Jennings, are among the piglet voices.
As with the first film, Jennings' filmmaker friends Don Hall, Aaron Horvath, and Paul Briggs all have cameos in the film, with Horvath as a tarsier night cleaner, Hall as Linda Le Bon's show announcer, and Briggs voicing a dog cop and a pig chauffeur. Derek Drymon, director of The Grinch, voices Mason, a walrus worker making the sets for the show. Additionally, Craig Kellman, Ed Skudder, Matt Berry, Mr. Lawrence, Al Roker, Josie Trinidad, Brian Hull, Brad Abrell, and Cody Cameron were cast in undisclosed roles.
=== Smurfs ===
* Katy Perry as Smurfette, the only female of the Smurfs.
* Channing Tatum as Guy Smurf, Smurfette's love interest
*Dustin Hoffman as Papa Smurf
*Julie Andrews as Smurf Willow, the motherly Smurf leader of Smurfy Grove and Papa Smurf's love interest.
*Zendaya as Vexy, a smart and mischievous Smurf-like creature called a "Naughty" created by Gargamel and Grouchy Smurf's love interest
*Bill Hader as Hackus, a funny and physical Smurf-like creature called a "Naughty" created by Gargamel
*Don Cheadle as Hickory, one of the Country Smurfs
* Charlie Day as Clumsy Smurf
* Kevin Hart as Brainy Smurf
* Idris Elba as Gutsy Smurf
*Peter Dinklage as Grouchy Smurf/Positive Smurf
* Will Arnett as Vanity Smurf
* Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Hiphop Smurf. Bridges perviously plays Eddie Noodleman.
* Michelle Rodriguez as Smurf Storm, a tough, tomboyish girl Smurf who sometimes does not trust Smurfette because she was created by the wizard Gargamel to undermine the Smurfs. However, Smurfette betrayed Gargamel to join the Smurfs.
* Ariel Winter as Smurf Lily, a smart and gentle girl Smurf.
* Gustavo Dudamel as Smurfzart, the ruler and conductor of the butterfly-winged Classical Smurfs.
* Rihanna as Smurf Barb, the feisty queen of the Hard Rock Smurfs
* Ellie Kemper as Smurf Blossom, an energetic and friendly girl Smurf who quickly befriends Smurfette.
* Becky G as Smurf Melody, a musical girl Smurf.
* Kelly Clarkson as Smurf Delta, the mayor of the centaur-like Country Smurfs
* J. P. Karliak as Quincy Smurf, the prince of the Funk Smurfs
* Anthony Ramos as King Smurfex, the kind, upbeat and protective king of the half-fish Techno Smurfs.
* Tom Kane as Narrator Smurf
* J Balvin as Tresillo, the leader of the Reggaeton Smurfs
* Red Velvet as the K-Pop Gang, a group of K-pop Smurfs:
** Wendy as Wani, the leader and the blue member of the gang
** Irene as Baby Bun, the pink member of the gang
** Seulgi as Gomdori, the yellow member of the gang
** Joy as Ari, the green member of the gang
** Yeri as Kim-Petit, the purple member of the gang
* Tom Kenny as Jokey Smurf
* Eric Jacobson as Baker Smurf
*Shaquille O'Neal as Smooth Smurf
*Jonah Hill as Clueless Smurf
*Sebastian Maniscalco as Handy Smurf
*Joe Manganiello as Hefty Smurf
*Adam Wylie as Panicky Smurf
*Rob Riggle as Farmer Smurf
*Eric Bauza as Greedy Smurf
*John Kassir as Crazy Smurf
*Scott Menville as Party Planner Smurf
*Xolo Maridueña as Yolo Smurf, one of the Yodelling Smurfs
*Dan Levy as Dickory Smurf, one of the Yodelling Smurfs and Cowboy's brother
In addition, James Ryan as Sash, Smurfette's pet sloth
==Production==
===Development===
In June 2016, Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Garth Jennings were in talks about the possibility of a The Smurfs sequel. In September 2016, Jason Bateman had expressed interest in a sequel featuring several characters from the comic books. Howard and Jennings also expressed interest in developing a sequel that focused on Smurfette. During a November 2016 publicity tour for Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed that early-stage work had begun on an sequel project that John Lasseter, then the chief creative officer of Disney Animation, presented that for the sequel of The Smurfs. On January 25, 2017, Disney announced that a sequel to The Smurfs was in the works. Later that day, Jared Bush confirmed that he is working on the film as a director. In April 2017, it was confirmed that directors Howard and Jennings returned the film along with producers Clark Spencer, Brian Henson and Toby Ascher, while Chris Meledandri will return from the first film as executive producers, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller joined as executive producers. On May 24, 2017, Henson confirmed that Walt Disney Studios CCO John Lasseter had authorized Howard, Bush, and Jennings to explore a possible sequel. Howard and Bush had already worked on buddy films "where two characters go out into the world and learn about each other" and wanted to try something "completely different". The three men discussed their common experience of having large extended families, and decided to make a musical film about a large extended family with a dozen main characters. Disney officially confirmed the sequel in January 2019, with a release date of December 21, 2021, coincided Christmas.
In August 2019, Disney announced that Teen Titans Go! creators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic were been hired to co-direct the film. According to Khary Payton, who has collaborated with Horvath and Jelenic on various projects at Warner Bros. Animation, the duo flew to Walt Disney Animation Studios a month after the release of their first feature film, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, in September 2018. Horvath and Jelenic were a creative consultant on the first film. Ed Skudder who previously worked with Horvath on Unikitty!, confirmed that he will returns. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, screenwriters and co-producers for the first film, returned to write and co-produce the sequel. On Febraury 23, 2020, it was reported that Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky were hired to rewrite the script. In April 2020, Disney shifted the film's release to June 22, 2022, coinciding of Global Smurfs Day, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, Matthew Fogel was confirmed as co-writer after previously scribing Illumination's Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). The scope of the theatre in the finale was a major stepping stone to take over 10,000 animals for the crowd department, old and new ones designed by artist Eric Guillon who not only worked on The Smurfs but also designed the new characters in the sequel like choreographer Klaus and the tarsiers. Fashion brand Rodarte designed some of the costumes used in the film. But it ended up having the largest crew of any animated film ever, with around 1,000 people working on it. MRC co-financed the film. The production designer was done by Ian Gooding, replacing David Goetz, from the first film. Guillaume Aretos will serves as associate production designer. On October 17, 2021, concept art from the film was released.
===Writing ===
Horvath and Jelenic chose to interchange Smurfette whose tell us the story, like in previously of Hotel Transylvania: Escape 2 Internet (2018), which starrer Mavis in the main protagonist. Then, Howard, Bush, and Jennings realized the film's plot would be more engaging if they reversed the roles to instead focus on Smurfette as opposed to Papa Smurf. The film was originally planned to be a live-action/animated hybrid, according to Jelenic. This would all eventually be scrapped. Bush was excited to work on a spy film because his own father and grandfather had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Howard and Bush continued to develop the film with the assistance of the Disney Story Trust, the studio's top creative personnel who meet regularly to review and discuss all projects in development.
===Casting ===
On September 27, 2016, Jim Carrey expressed interest and confirm that in starring in a sequel, feeling that his character, the villain Gargamel, with Channing Tatum reprising his role as Guy. That same month, Ginnifer Goodwin confirmed for reprises her role as Judy Hopps, along with Jason Bateman, Neil Patrick Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Tika Sumpter, Andy Samberg, Clark Duke, Katie Crown, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Charlie Day (who previously play Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie), Peter Dinklage, Will Arnett, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, and Nick Kroll. Katy Perry confirmed at the 2017 Kids' Choice Awards that she would be reprising her role as Smurfette. 
In December 2020, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Bobby Cannavale, Letitia Wright, Don Cheadle, will.i.am, Antonio Banderas, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti, Michelle Rodriguez, Ellie Kemper, Ariel Winter, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Alec Baldwin, Leslie Mann, Selena Gomez, Anderson .Paak, Alex Winter, Becky G, Anthony Ramos, Dan Levy, J. P. Karliak, Xolo Maridueña, Amy Sedaris, Common, Bono, Kelly Clarkson, Julie Andrews, Asher Blinkoff, Madison Polan and Halsey were added to the cast. In January 2021, it was announced that Demi Lovato, Bill Hader was added the cast. Bateman had previously collaborate with Gomez in PAW Patrol (2021). Reynolds, Gomez and Asher Blinkoff had previously worked together in Hotel Transylvania: Escape 2 Internet (2018). Samberg and Gomez had previously worked together in Night at the Museum film series and The Smurfs: A New Generation (2020). Tom Lister Jr. did not reprise the role of Finnick, after her died on December 10, 2020, which led to replaced him with Jamie Foxx. In September 2021, Lovato was replaced by Zendaya due to an extended production schedule. Gomez, Goodwin, Zendaya had previously worked together in My Little Pony: A New Generation (2022). On June 1, 2022, it was announced that Steve Martin's role was cut from the film. Howard explained: "He came to Redshore City and did a tiny little cameo for us, but ultimately for story clarity we had to omit that scene. ... It just muddied things up a bit. So it was a sad day for us, but he always be part of our Smurfy family."
===Animation and design===
The film was animated by Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia (together with The Grinch). It is the first project to be made at the Vancouver studio. Approximately 800 artists worked on the film; they used software applications such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and Nuke. The marking custom animation to promote the film was provided from Mikros Animation in Montreal and Paris, work on the film shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional visual effects services was provided by Industrial Lights & Magic, Hybride, Cinesite and DNEG. Production was underway by August 2018, with animation ending in March 2022. Post-production work wrapped by May 2022. Fashion brand Rodarte designed some of the costumes used in the film. Bush, Howard and Jennings ambitiously employed them to develop two different animation style. The intent was to amaze the audience whenever the characters cross into a new environment so the film can accurately reflect its plot and the styles can generate various emotional backdrops, with animation styles inspired by Yellow Submarine (1968) and Fantasia (1940). With a runtime of 132 minutes, it is the longest animated film ever produced by an American studio.
=== Cinematography ===
The Smurfs 2 is the third Disney Animation film since Tangled (2010) and Hotel Transylvania (2012) to employ a tall frame, a decision made to "get closer to the characters". This layout was supplemented by romantic lighting. According to Howard, romantic (meaning heightened in spirit) is the film's key word in terms of the approach towards cinematography and lighting. The latter was also inspired by magical realism, due to the genre's heavy influence on the writing and characters.
== Music==
The soundtrack of the film, U2 performed the film's original song "Your Song Saved My Life". The song was released on June 8, 2022. Britney Spears contributed an original song titled "Ooh La La", which is played at the film's credits. Many other artists were featured on the soundtrack, including Becky G, Owl City, Nelly Furtado, Austin Mahone, and G.R.L. Additional music includes songs by Kiana Ledé, Sam i, Billie Eilish, Elton John and more. The film's soundtrack was released on June 8, 2022 by Walt Disney Records. The songs was used from the film "The Other Side", by Justin Timberlake and SZA. Composer Brian Tyler, was announced in November 2021, replaced Michael Giacchino from the first film, which was released on July 1, 2022, by Walt Disney Records. Witch marked that Tyler in his first collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios. While not appearing in the official soundtrack, the untitled end credits suite takes references from the track “The Smurfs” from the first film, whose soundtrack was also composed by Tyler.
== Release==
=== Theatrical ===
The Smurfs 2 held its world premiere at Microsoft Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2022, with the cast and crew in attendance. It was released theatrically in the United States on June 22, 2023 in RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX and 4DX formats. The film was previously scheduled to be released on December 22, 2021 (the former witch due of COVID-19 pandemic pushed back 6 months). 
=== Home Media ===
The Smurfs 2 was released on digital download on July 21, 2022, and was officially released on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 21 in the US, with some early sales starting on September 16, 2022. All the releases include one new short films Dear Diary: World's First Pranks, deleted scenes, an audio commentary and more. Disney signed for "pay 2 window" rights for the films, which would be streamed on Netflix and Hulu as well as broadcast on Disney's linear television networks. The Smurfs 2 was made available on Disney+ on August 6, 2022, with the option to view the theatrical version of the film or the IMAX Enhanced version, and on Netflix was streaming on October 21, 2022. The film was also released on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia, India and Malaysia.
=== Marketing ===
Disney teamed up with marketing partners in the United States and Canada to promote the film through McDonald's Happy Meals with a set of 16 toys during the spring and summer of 2022. Disney also teamed up with Build-A-Bear Workshop to release three customized limited edition stuffed animals of Judy, Vexy, Hackus and Smurfette. On May 14, when tickets went on sale for the United States, an early access screening dubbed a "Fan Event" was announced for June 15. On May 29, 2022, King partnered with Disney to help create a special edition of the online game Candy Crush Saga in ways to promote the film.
==Sequel==
In April 2022, The Jim Henson Company and Walt Disney Animation Studios had been in development of a third Smurfs film. A series starring Judy Hopps, who appeared in The Smurfs, for Disney+, was being developed simultaneously with the film, a series starring Smurfette, for Disney+, was in development, also a series named The Smurfs started in 2021, for Disney Junior and Disney Channel, a Pixar film titled - The Smurfs Movie, was released in 2024. In June 2023, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenicconfirmed for directing the film, after doing the live-action The Smurfs (2023). In February 2024, Iger announced that the film, officially titled The Smurfs 3, would be released in 2025. The film was written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger and Matthew Fogel. Ed Skudder was returned as a head of story from the first two films, with Byron Howard had been added as co-producer.
==Notes==
==References==
Category:2022 films
Category:Disney films
Category:Disney's The Smurfs