Smurfs: Returning Village is upcoming American computer-animated adventure fantasy comedy film based on the characters by Peyo. A sequel to Smurfs: The Lost Village, it is the fourth film in the Smurfs film series, and is directed by David Bowers from a screenplay written by Pamela Ribon, Michael McCullers, Eyal Pobell and >Jonathon E. Stewart, and produced by Jordan Kerner and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews. It stars the voice talents of Demi Lovato as Smurfette, with Joe Manganiello, Danny Pudi, Jack McBrayer, Mandy Patinkin, Julia Roberts, Eric Anderson, Joe Filippone, Timothy Spall, Rainn Wilson, Frank Welker, Lyric Ross, Owen Wilson, Joe Thomas, Shelley Duvall, Ariana DeBose, Bahia Watson and Gabriel Iglesias.
In the film, after receiving word of the Lost Village planned to be destroyed by Gargamel and Azrael, Smurfette sets out on a mission with her friends Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy, with Smurf Storm, Smurf Lily, Smurf Melody, and Smurf Blossom, to save the Lost Village. A sequel to Smurfs: The Lost Village was announced in November 2017 following the financial success of the film, with David Bowers overseeing the project as director. Lorne Cameron and Noah Baumbach served as co-directors. Kelly Asbury, the director of The Lost Village, served as an additional animator, making it his last film as an animator and a filmmaker. The film was dedicated to Kelly Asbury, who died on June 26, 2020, a month before the film was released.
