#FIRSTLOOK: RIHANNA TO VOICE SMURFETTE

Today, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies announced that Rihanna will star as Smurfette in Untitled Smurfs Animated Film. Appearing on stage, Rihanna announced that she will also write and perform original music and serve as a producer for the film. The announcement was made at Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation.

“On behalf of our studio and our creative partners at LAFIG, we couldn’t be more excited to have found our Smurfette in one of the most beloved stars in the world,” said Brian Robbins, President and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, and Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. “With Rihanna’s singular creative appeal and musical talents, there is an enormous opportunity to elevate the cultural touchstone of The Smurfs universe in a way that’s never been done before.”

Based on the characters and works of Peyo, Untitled Smurfs Animated Film is directed by Chris Miller, co-directed by Matt Landon, and produced by Rihanna, Jay Brown, Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith, and Ryan Harris. Along with starring and producing, Rihanna is also creating and performing original music for the film. Untitled Smurfs Animated Film comes from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, in partnership with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the company that owns the Smurfs brand. 

(Photo credit: Dennis Leupold)

#BOXOFFICE: “F8” FURIOUS IN $100-MILLION OPENING

True to the form of its predecessors, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS has a spectacular opening at number one this weekend at the Box Office!  Taking-in $100 million from 4,310 theatres, this eight installment in the series gets a passable 64% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.  To place it into context, this Film ranks second in its Franchise, right behind 2015’s FURIOUS 7 which opened with $147 million.

In second after two weeks on-top is THE BOSS BABY with $17 million, bringing its three week tally to $117 million in North America for 20th Century Fox.

Just crossing the $1 billion-mark worldwide this week, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST places third in its fifth week out for Disney with $16.2 million.  Thus far domestically it has grossed $457 million.

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE places fourth with $11 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures, a two week take of $29 million.

GIFTED is in sixth with $3 million from 1,146 theatres for Fox Searchlight. It earns $4.3 million over two weeks.

KONG: SKULL ISLAND rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.6 million for Warner Bros. in its sixth week, a total of $161 million in its domestic run.

#BOXOFFICE: “BABY” IS BOSS AGAIN TAKING #1 A SECOND WEEK

Audiences simply can’t get enough of this baby! THE BOSS BABY for a second straight week takes the top of the Box Office even with stiff competition coming from new releases. The Animated Feature from 20th Century Fox earns $25.1 million, accounting for $89 million over two weeks domestically.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST again is second this weekend with $25.1 million, bringing its four week run to $432 million in North America for Disney.

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE debuts with $14.1 million for Sony Pictures from 3,610 theatres. This third installment in the Franchise is unable to surpass 2011’s THE SMURFS which opened with $35 million. It gets an A CinemaScore and 39% on the Tomatometer.

Remake GOING IN STYLE opens in fourth with $12.2 million for Warner Bros., from 3,061 theatres. It gets a B CinemaScore and 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

THE CASE FOR CHRIST debuts in eight with $4.5 million for Pureflix. It gets an 83% on the Tomatometer.

Former champ GET OUT rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.1 million for Universal Pictures. Thus far over seven weeks it has made $162 million.

#NEWMUSIC: MEGHAN TRAINOR – “I’M A LADY” | “SMURFS: THE LOST VILAGE” AT THE TIFF KIDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Hot on the heels of its announcement earlier this week that it will be closing the TIFF KIDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL next month, SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE comes at us with a sassy new Video from star Meghan Trainor, I’m a Lady!  In case you missed our Tweet yesterday, here it is:

 

 

#SmurfsVillage to close @TIFF_NET Kids International Film Festival 4.7.17 with Director Kelly Asbury in attendance on Blue Carpet! pic.twitter.com/Rg4hEOvCAE

— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) March 2, 2017

 

Watch below:

Some ways for you to get the Track to enjoy:

iTunes: smarturl.it/ImaLady
Apple Music – smarturl.it/ImaLady_AM
Spotify – smarturl.it/ImaLady_Sptfy
Google Play – smarturl.it/ImaLady_GP
Amazon – smarturl.it/ImaLady_Dig

Sony Pictures Canada release SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE Friday, April 7 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Pictures)