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Smurfs back in 3D film

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Now for some international fun. The loveable Smurfs used to be one of children's favorite cartoons back in the 1980's. Now, get ready for a new journey with those little blue creatures, because they've made it onto the big screen this time in their own 3D live-action film.

'The Smurfs' in 3D.

Created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1950's, the Smurfs were one of European people's favorite comic strips. The idea was adapted into an animated TV series in the United States in the 1980's, and soon stormed the rest of the world, including China.

American actor Hank Azaria was in his late teens when the popularity of "The Smurfs" peaked in the U.S. Now he is playing the evil wizard Gargamel in the movie version.

"They were open to some of my stranger ideas. So, that was good. Then we picked a voice which took a few weeks to settle on. Then you get the prosthetics going, and that does half the work. Then you basically stoop over and start screaming and laugh."

Hank Azaria, actor as "Gargamel".

The storyline in the movie remains the same as the original. The evil wizard Gargamel obsesses over capturing Smurfs and destroying their little village. This time, Gargamel chases the Smurfs though a magical portal where they end up in present day New York City, where the Smurfs soon take shelter with a married couple, played by Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays. They shared some of their experiences with the latest CGI techniques.

"It was really just strange and technical and I just loved doing it with Jayma, because we would be able to whisper to each other, 'Where are you looking? Where are you looking at the purple dot? Is the purple dot a Smurfette? Or the yellow dot Smurfette?'"

"The Smurfs" will open in United States theatres at the end of July, and will meet Smurf fans from all over the world in the following months.

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