Demi Lovato, Mandy Patinkin, and Rainn Wilson have reportedly joined the cast of Get Smurfy, a reboot of the previous Smurfs films that will pay homage to its comic-style roots.
The movie, set for a March 2017 release, will be animated rather than a live-action/computer animation hybrid like the previous two films and will have a look much closer to the original comics, which were created by Peyo Culliford. According to the L.A. Times, the movie will answer the questions that fans of the original cartoon have always had, such as why Smurfette was the only female in a group of male Smurfs. Lovato will play the blonde, blue-skinned creature while Wilson will take on the role of the villainous Gargamel. Mandy Patinkin will voice Papa Smurf.
The last two Smurf films weren’t huge hits at the box office in the U.S., but both reportedly did well overseas.
Lovato has a full schedule just lately; not only is she working on the feature-length animated film, she’s also been joining her boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama on the set of From Dusk Till Dawn as a guest star. It’s unclear what exactly her role is, but she shared photos on Instagram recently showing her in what looks like a desert setting with both Valderrama and director Robert Rodriguez.
Lovato has been in headlines recently, not just for her body of work, but for her body. The actress and singer took to social media to stand up for herself and others who have been bullied online or body shamed after going public with her own struggles with an eating disorder and drug abuse, saying she feels bad that she spent so much time hating her body.
“It makes me sad because I wasted so many years ashamed of my body when I could’ve been living the happy and healthy life I live today. It TRULY just goes to show you that your perceptions can lie to you. OR they can make you learn to enjoy life…I not only feel so grateful for the love and support I’ve had from fans, friends and family, but… I also feel.. beautiful. I’m so excited to live my life the way I deserve to and to the complete fullest. Thank you guys once again.. I’m so thankful for my Lovatics. I love you… And never forget that staying strong is worth it,” Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram.