Chris Miller hails Rihanna's role as Smurfette in The Smurfs Movie: "She is an outsider who found her place"

As the countdown begins for the release of The Smurfs Movie, director Chris Miller is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the film truly special and magical. According to the director, it is none other than his leading lady, Rihanna.The music icon voices the beloved Smurfette in the upcoming animated feature. Speaking about the star becoming the voice of the little blue character, Miller said, RiRi had no qualms slipping right into the role and bringing heart, humour, and depth to the character like never before.“I don’t know that there’s a movie without Rihanna,” Miller said in a statement. “She came in with an open heart, an open mind, and more knowledge about Smurfs than anyone I will ever know.

She also is an outsider who found her place, like Smurfette. She’s got a great voice. She’s a terrific actress. As a musician, she is singular. Everything she touches, she makes exceptional and her own.”Rihanna’s performance has already generated major buzz, with early reactions praising her emotional nuance and comedic timing, a blend Miller credits for helping the film stand out in a year packed with animated blockbusters.

In this fresh take on the classic franchise, The Smurfs Movie follows Smurfette as she leads the blue crew on a daring mission into the real world after Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) is mysteriously captured by the villainous wizards Razamel and Gargamel. Along the way, the Smurfs team up with unexpected allies and confront powerful questions about identity, belonging, and destiny.The film promises to retain the charm and whimsy that have made the Smurfs household names while introducing new stakes and deeper character arcs for a modern audience.Set for a theatrical release on July 18, 2025, in English and Hindi, The Smurfs Movie is poised to be one of the most heartwarming and adventurous animated films of the year.