Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Cancelled or Renewed?
    • Cancelled TV Shows (lists)
    • Cancellations
    • Renewals
    • TV Show Status Pages
    • Vulture Watch
  • TV Ratings
    • Daily Network Ratings
    • Ratings by Season/Channel
    • Weekly Averages
    • Soap Opera Ratings
    • Archive
    • Viewer Votes
      • ABC TV shows
      • CBS TV shows
      • The CW TV shows
      • FOX TV shows
      • NBC TV shows
      • All Viewer Votes
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Mail

canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale

   

The Smurfs: Will the Original Voice Actors Have Parts in the Movie?

Published: March 31, 2010

The Smurfs movieThere’s no doubt that the characters in the film adaptation of The Smurfs will be played by an all-star cast. We already know that Comedian Jonathan Winters is voicing Papa Smurf, pop-singer Katy Perry will provide the voice of Smurfette, TV host George Lopez will perform Grouchy Smurf, and Broadway star Alan Cumming will be voicing an all-new character, Gutsy Smurf. Quentin Tarantino was in talks to play Brainy Smurf but that apparently won’t be happening now.

We also know that a few characters will be live and not cartoon, similar to the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. Hank Azaria will play a live Gargamel, Neil Patrick Harris will appear as Johan, an expectant father whose life changes once he meets the Smurfs, and Jayma Mays will play his pregnant wife.

But, what about the voice talent of the original Smurfs cartoon? Some of the best voice talent in the business provided the voices of these small blue creatures — names like Don Messick, Lucille Bliss, Frank Welker, Danny Goldman, June Foray, Michael Bell, William Callaway, Hamilton Camp, Alan Oppenheimer, Alan Young, and Paul Winchell. Weren’t these voices a key to the original cartoon’s success? While some of the performers are no longer with us, doesn’t it make sense to give them some type of role in the new film?

We recently had the opportunity to speak with two of these voice talents to get their take on it.

Michael Bell provided the voice of Handy Smurf and Lazy Smurf and has been performing voices for hundreds of cartoons and video games since The Jetsons in 1962. His resume includes Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Super Friends, G.I. Joe, and several Scooby-Doo series.

Bell said he felt he was speaking for all the actors who provided voices of the Smurfs, as well as their director, Gordon Hunt, when he said they “would love to be part of the film.” However, he doesn’t see it happening, noting that he and his comrades “are resigned to the fact that their living has been usurped by on-camera celebrities… many of whom are hired for their own familiar voice (i.e.: Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Demi Moore, Susan Sarandon, Johnny Depp, etc.).”

He continued, “These actors are not prepared or equipped to render more than one voice, theirs, for a fee way beyond that which those of us who do this for a living (our only living) are provided. Our salary is usually minimum although we are imposed to create at least three characters.”

Bell wanted to point out that fans wrote to Michael Bay, executive producer of The Transformers movies, and insisted that Peter Cullen revise his character, Optimus Prime, for the movie versions. Bay did indeed include him and will supposedly be including the legendary Frank Welker in the next movie as well. Bell considers that “a smart move” for Bay.

Danny Goldman, who provided the voice of Brainy Smurf, has brought many other characters to life both on-camera and in animated shows for 40 years. He’s reprised his role as Brainy for Cartoon Network’s Robot Chicken a few times.

Goldman says he hasn’t heard anything about the upcoming film. He adds that he is assuming it will be filled with stars, and that he thinks that’s just what they have to do. However, he said, “If they contacted me or our cast to offer cameos, that would be very classy. But I am not holding my breath.”

What do you think? Should the producers offer the surviving Smurf voice actors roles in the new movie?


More about: Robot Chicken, The Smurfs

Related Articles

  • Robot Chicken: Season Nine of Adult Swim Series Kicks Off with Holiday Special
    November 30, 2017
  • Smurfs: The Lost Village: Movie Trailer Released
    November 21, 2016
  • The Smurfs: The Lost Village: TV show feature film sequel coming in 2017 (canceled or renewed?).
    The Smurfs: Sony Announces The Lost Village Sequel Feature Premieres in April 2017
    June 21, 2016
  • Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin dies
    Star Trek, Huff, Taken: Anton Yelchin Dies in Accident at 27
    June 19, 2016
  • Mister Ed, DuckTales: Alan Young Dies at 96
    May 23, 2016
  • The Smurfs: Lucille Bliss Dies at 96; Farewell Smurfette
    November 12, 2012
  • TV Espresso: <em>House, Smurfs, Lone Ranger, Kojak,</em> and <em>The Addams Family</em>
    TV Espresso: House, Smurfs, Lone Ranger, Kojak, and The Addams Family
    December 20, 2011
  • Smurfs and holiday package
    The Smurfs: Win the Holiday Specials & More! (Ended)
    December 9, 2011
  • Star Trek sequel underway
    TV Espresso: News Items for Friday, November 18, 2011
    November 18, 2011
  • Smurfs
    The Smurfs: Win Their Cartoon Adventures on DVD (Ended)
    August 4, 2011
  • <em>The Smurfs:</em> Watch the New Movie Trailer
    The Smurfs: Watch the New Movie Trailer
    March 13, 2011
  • <em>The Smurfs:</em> New Poster Released for 3D Feature Film
    The Smurfs: New Poster Released for 3D Feature Film
    December 20, 2010
  • <em>The Smurfs:</em> More Movie Casting and the Official Synopsis
    The Smurfs: More Movie Casting and the Official Synopsis
    April 20, 2010
  • <em>The Smurfs:</em> Hank Azaria and <em>Glee's</em> Jayma Mays Added to Long-Awaited Movie
    The Smurfs: Hank Azaria and Glee’s Jayma Mays Added to Long-Awaited Movie
    March 19, 2010
  • <em>The Smurfs:</em> Movie Cast Announced; What About the Originals?
    The Smurfs: Movie Cast Announced; What About the Originals?
    March 5, 2010
  • What's New? TV Show DVD Releases for March 3, 2009
    What’s New? TV Show DVD Releases for March 3, 2009
    March 2, 2009

Canceled and renewed TV show
« Previous Post
Next Post »

15
Leave a Reply

avatar
9 Comment threads
6 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
8 Comment authors
Macie Meekschetlemjoe kennedyLaurie Turner Recent comment authors
avatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

joe kennedy
Reader
joe kennedy

The celebrity ‘voice’ actors would not have this gig without the formidable talents of the celebrity voice actors that preceded them. Let’s flip this movie and give the original celebrity voice actors the major parts and the celebrity ‘voice’ actors minor ones.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 14, 2011 7:15 pm
Laurie Turner
Reader
Laurie Turner

The new Smurfs movie should have the surviving Voice Over Actors/Actresses from the original 1980’s series. They are not being given the credit where credit is due for their wonderful multi-talented voices. There is no way Katie Perry can do justice to Smurfette, that is Lucille Bliss’s grounds. I worked with Miss. Bliss in San Francisco and she is a wonderful, talented lady. She and others deserve recognition for the voices that they did when working on The Smurfs in the 1980’s.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 13, 2011 7:09 pm
Tom Tucker
Reader
Tom Tucker

This movie is an insult to anyone and everyone who worked on the original and to those of us who grew up watching them. Without the original voices and familiar surroundings it might as well not be a Smurf movie at all. It’s more proof that Hollywood has no respect for original creations and cannot create even a new or decent premise on classic characters.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 3, 2010 11:32 am
Chicago Sugano
Reader
Chicago Sugano

Yes Tom Tucker, Hollywood has lost all respect for the Arts & the Artists.
It’s all about sensationalism & MONEY$.

Pity the veterans of the Animations & Classic Cartoons and just swept under the
rug like scraps of debris. SHAME ON YOU GREEDY HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS!

Lucille Bliss is DA Bomb and she is alive & well residing in Orange County and wants
a VO gig.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 17, 2010 1:14 pm
Macie Meeks
Reader
Macie Meeks

This is exactly what I thought. All of these Hollywood people are ruining the old cartoons and are hiring talentless people to do the voices instead of all the wonderful actors who deserve the rolls.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
November 24, 2012 6:15 pm
Jacob Smith
Reader
Jacob Smith

I would love to hear those old voices to bring back memories.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 13, 2010 3:50 pm
Anonymous
Reader
Anonymous

I didn’t know there was a Mexican smurf in the village jeorge Lopez really????

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 31, 2011 6:28 am
nubomb turk
Reader
nubomb turk

I don’t think it will work. In all cartoons that go over well, we get used the the characters having certain voices. When they are changed, they don’t sound right and it’s like the cartoon character is new and something other than the one we all grew to love.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 9, 2010 9:04 pm
Elizabeth Sullivan
Reader
Elizabeth Sullivan

However, most of the people who did not grow up watching the original show won’t really care or have memories to compare to.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 11, 2010 5:16 pm
Anonymous
Reader
Anonymous

I tend to agree when we’re talking about a major cartoon character especially one with a distinct voice. Bugs Bunny is a perfect example…for me the ‘voice’ of that character is what Mel Blanc gave the character for decades and it’s that kind of voice that I want to hear coming out of the character’s mouth. The main reason a lot of Mel’s voices are difficult to duplicate is because he used his natural voice as a basis for nearly everything he did. Joe Alaskey is a good voice actor and his take on Sylvester is uncanny in it’s similarity… Read more »

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 21, 2010 7:39 am
Rockin' Smurf
Reader
Rockin' Smurf

Not to knock the people who are doing the voices in the Smurfs movie (and not to blame them for taking the role – I’m sure it’s an honor for some of them), but I agree – it is VERY sad that the cartoon business has to be just about that now – business – selling a movie due to the on screen celebrities doing the voices. As Michael Bell said, the REAL voice actors would be paid less, and do more voices. It would be a win/win (because they do AMAZING work – just think back to your childhood… Read more »

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 5, 2010 8:01 pm
Erika
Reader
Erika

I think its cute to see a movie with the smurfs but I do agree I think they should have brought the original voices back if the actors wanted to come back.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 4, 2010 3:19 pm
Chris
Reader
Chris

I understand that since Don Messick and Paul Winchell have now passed on, their characters would need new actors, as you can’t have The Smurfs without Papa Smurf or Gargamel. However, I think it is disappointing that while she is still alive, Lucille Bliss wasn’t considered for returning for this. She gave Smurfette an unmistakable voice that really matched her sweet personality in the cartoon, made her very likeable, and it’s a voice that’s pretty hard to imitate. Nobody can replace Lucille in that role. However, I definitely think the original Brainy Smurf should be present in the movie. Tarantino… Read more »

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 1, 2010 8:19 pm
chetlem
Reader
chetlem

i think mo rocca should voice brainy smurf

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 3, 2011 1:14 pm
Orion
Reader
Orion

I’m looking forward to The Smurfs… and I would so love to see a scene where one of the Smurfs in the new movie looked out into the distance and saw the the people who originally voiced the characters. That would be Smurftastic!

Though I wouldnt even know what the original people look like unless it was pointed out to me! LOL

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 31, 2010 5:28 pm
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Fall 2020 Schedule Cancelled TV Show Lists Ratings (by TV Channel) Status Lists of 800+ Shows
  • Cancellations
  • Renewals
  • Year of the Rabbit TV Show on IFC: canceled or renewed? Year of the Rabbit: Season Two Cancelled; Channel 4 and IFC Renewal Reversed
  • At Home with Amy Sedaris TV show on truTV: (canceled or renewed?) At Home with Amy Sedaris: Cancelled by truTV, No Season Four
  • Peaky Blinders TV show on BBC One and Netflix, ending no season 7 Peaky Blinders: Season Six; BBC & Netflix Series Ending But the Story Will Continue
  • High Maintenance TV show on HBO: (canceled or renewed?) High Maintenance: "Cancelled," No Season Five for HBO Comedy Series
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season
  • Insecure TV show on HBO: ending, no season 6 Insecure: Season Five to End Issa Rae TV Series on HBO
  • More...
  • Eli Roth's History of Horror TV Show on AMC: canceled or renewed? Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season Three Renewal for AMC Series January 24, 2021
  • Bridgerton TV show on Netflix: season 2 renewal Bridgerton: Season Two Renewal for Netflix Period Drama Series (Video) January 21, 2021
  • Snowpiercer TV show on TNT: season 3 renewal Snowpiercer: Season Three; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal Ahead of Second Season premiere January 19, 2021
  • Tyler Perry's Sistas TV show on BET: season 3 renewal Tyler Perry's Sistas: Season Three; BET TV Series Renewal Announced January 19, 2021
  • Queen Sugar TV show on TNT: season 6 renewal ahead of season 5 premiere Queen Sugar: Season Six; OWN TV Series Renewed Ahead of Season Five Premiere (Video) January 14, 2021
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season January 14, 2021
  • More...
  • TV Ratings
  • Quick Questions
  • Saturday TV Ratings: 48 Hours, Big Sky, 9-1-1, Law & Order: SVU
  • 48 Hours TV show on CBS: season 33 ratings 48 Hours: Season 33 Ratings (2020-21)
  • The Blacklist TV Show on NBC: canceled or renewed? Friday TV Ratings: The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, Shark Tank, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Friday Night Smackdown
  • The CW TV show ratings (cancel or renew?) The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • More...
  • Salvation TV show on CBS: season 3 (canceled or renewed?) Salvation: Season Three? Should the CBS Summer Series Be Renewed? September 18, 2018
  • Take Two TV show on ABC: canceled or renewed for season 2? Take Two: Season Two; Should the ABC TV Show Be Renewed? September 13, 2018
  • Shooter TV show on USA Network: canceled, no season 4 Shooter: Season Four? Would You Watch the Cancelled Show on Another Channel? September 13, 2018
  • Shades of Blue TV show on NBC: no season four Shades of Blue: Season Four? Would You Have Kept Watching the NBC Series? August 20, 2018
  • Quantico TV show on ABC: canceled, no season 4 Quantico: Season Four; Would You Have Watched More of the Cancelled ABC Series? August 4, 2018
  • More...

The Latest

  • Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season Three Renewal for AMC Series
  • Chad: TBS Sets Premiere of New Single-Camera Comedy Series (Video)
  • Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Season Two Premiere Date Announced for Bravo Series (Video)
  • Invincible: Robert Kirkman Animated Series Coming to Amazon in March
  • America's Most Wanted: FOX Reviving Cancelled Series with Elizabeth Vargas as Host
  • Sister Wives, Outdaughtered, Return to Amish: TLC Sets Returns of Four TV Series
  • The Beast Must Die: AMC Acquires Revenge Thriller Series
  • Year of the Rabbit: Season Two Cancelled; Channel 4 and IFC Renewal Reversed
  • The Walking Dead: Season 10; AMC Releases Trailer Ahead of Series' Return
  • American Dad!: Season 16; 2021 Premiere Date Revealed by TBS
  • Bridgerton: Season Two Renewal for Netflix Period Drama Series (Video)
  • Batwoman, Superman & Lois, Black Lightning: No CW Arrowverse Crossovers This Season
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season Four; Production Resumes on Amazon Series
  • 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star: FOX Showrunner Teases Upcoming Crossover Event
  • The Flash: Season Seven Premiere Delayed by Superman & Lois Debut on The CW
  • Peaky Blinders: BBC and Netflix Series to Wrap Up with a Movie
  • At Home with Amy Sedaris: Cancelled by truTV, No Season Four
  • Titans: Season Three; HBO Max Series Casts Savannah Welch as Barbara Gordon
  • CBS All Access Streaming Service Relaunching as Paramount+ in March
More...

Popular

  • FOX TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • The CW TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • CBS TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Viewer Votes Ranking for the 2020-21 Network TV Shows
  • ABC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • NBC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of FOX TV Shows
  • The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • ABC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • CBS 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • NBC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/23/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (A-D)
  • 2020-21 TV Show Season Ratings (week 17)
  • 2020-21 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (week 17)
  • Showtime TV Show Ratings (updated 1/20/21)
  • Starz TV Show Ratings (updated 1/20/21)
  • Soap Opera Ratings for the 2020-21 Season (updated 1/15/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (E-L)

No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. DMCA.

Copyright © TV Series Finale. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

wpDiscuz