The blue animals we all love are back in a new animated musical fantasy movie called Smurfs. It came out in Brussels on June 28, 2025, and in the US on July 18, 2025. This new movie gives the long-running series a new look by adding new characters and a voice cast full of stars. Natasha Lyonne is one of the many talented people who offer their voices to the show. She plays the unforgettable role of Mama Poot, which has already made the actress laugh.
Who is Mama Poot? The funny new Smurfs character played by Natasha Lyonne
An email asking Natasha Lyonne if she wanted to be a Smurf was the first step in her engagement with the Smurfs movie. "Sure, who doesn't?" was her first response. But she quickly found out that she wouldn't be voicing the famous Smurfette, a job that Rihanna took on. Instead, Lyonne was cast as Mama Poot, the leader of the Snooterpoots, a group of fluffy animals that help the Smurfs on their journey. Lyonne said that Mama Poot was "a hairball with one bottom snaggle tooth, not even a top (tooth)."
The actress jokingly connected the way her character looked to the stress of getting older in Hollywood. Lyonne joked, "I guess I'm not [Smurfette]. My name is Mama Poot. That's OK. That's what they mean when they say I'm older now. "Don't get older in Hollywood, or you'll turn into Mama Poot." She also made sure to make it clear, with a giggle, "Guys, this isn't about this, but I just want to remind everyone that I have a full set of real teeth." And that makes me very proud. Not Mama Poot, though!"
Even if the analogies were funny, Lyonne said she liked voicing Mama Poot. She thinks the character's strange behavior is a nice addition to her own. Mama Poot is seen to be very protective of her clan, which makes her act when she needs to. mother Poot is the "mama for the job" when Papa Smurf is kidnapped, hence her character is very important to Smurfette's goal.
The Voice Cast of Smurfs 2025: Beyond Natasha Lyonne
The Smurfs movie has a great cast of voice actors, including a mix of well-known and lesser-known actors who bring their characters to life in Smurf Village and beyond. Rihanna plays Smurfette and is also a producer and songwriter for the movie's music. Papa Smurf, the wise leader of the Smurfs, is voiced by John Goodman. James Corden plays the part of No Name Smurf, a figure who is having trouble figuring out who he is.
Nick Offerman plays Ken, Papa Smurf's brother, while JP Karliak portrays both Gargamel and his brother Razamel, who are the bad guys. Dan Levy plays Joel, Amy Sedaris plays Jaunty, Sandra Oh plays Moxie Smurf, Jimmy Kimmel plays Tardigrade, Octavia Spencer plays Asmodius, Nick Kroll plays Chernobog, Hannah Waddingham plays Jezebeth, Alex Winter plays Hefty Smurf, Maya Erskine plays Vanity Smurf, Kurt Russell plays Ron, and Billie Lourd plays Worry Smurf.
What's the story behind the blue creatures' next adventure in Smurfs 2025?
There is a big problem in Smurf Village that the Smurfs have to deal with. The bad wizards Razamel and Gargamel capture Papa Smurf for no reason. Papa Smurf has been protecting a magical book called Jaunty that these bad guys want. This book is one of four very important books that, when put together, would give the wizards the most power.
Smurfette conducts a rescue operation into the real world after Papa Smurf is kidnapped. Other Smurfs, like No Name Smurf, who learns about his own magical powers along the way, join her. As they try to stop the wizards' scheme and save the universe, the Smurfs travel through several dimensions. The movie also talks about finding yourself, especially through No Name Smurf's search for his purpose.
The Smurfs franchise has changed over the years, from comics to movies.
Peyo (Pierre Culliford) invented the Smurfs as a comic strip in Belgium in 1958. The characters have been in a lot of different adaptations over the years, such as animated TV shows and movies. In 1965, the first movie based on the Schtroumpfs came out. It was called Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs. In 1976, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute came out.
In the 2010s, Sony Pictures Animation made The Smurfs (2011) and The Smurfs 2 (2013), which were live-action/CGI hybrid movies that brought the characters to life. In 2017, Smurfs: The Lost Village came out as a fully animated reboot. The 2025 Smurfs movie, made by Paramount Animation, is a new animated musical that doesn't have anything to do with the other Smurfs movies. Chris Miller, the director, said that the movie's visual design is based on Peyo's original art and is meant to replicate the spirit of the comics.
This new movie is all animated, unlike the last ones that were a mix of live action and CGI. Some people say that this is the best way to show the characters. The movie puts the Smurfs into the real world, yet it still focuses on their animated appearances and how they interact with each other. The movie keeps the tradition of giving Smurfs names depending on their traits, but it also adds new Smurfs with more common names like Ken and Ron.
Natasha Lyonne's Journey to Smurf Village: The Voice of Mama Poot
Natasha Lyonne's unique voice and sense of timing make her a good fit for the Smurfs world. She leaned into Mama Poot's unusual look and demeanor when she played the role. Lyonne said, "What's so fun about Mama Poot is that she's really like some..."I don't sure what kind of weirdness this exceedingly strange gift I'm bringing to the table is, but it's definitely there.
Actors may give their roles a new kind of performance when they record their voices because they only have to focus on how they sound. Lyonne has worked on a number of well-known projects, such as American Pie, Orange is the New Black, and Poker Face. This shows how adaptable she is, and she is now using that skill in the cartoon world of the Smurfs.
What Makes Smurfs 2025 a Must-See for Fans Old and New?
The goal of the 2025 Smurfs movie is to interest both old fans and new ones. Its musical style, which includes new songs by Rihanna, gives the franchise a new twist. The movie is fun for people of all ages since it has action, comedy, and music. The story is exciting and heartwarming because it is about a big adventure to save Papa Smurf and the universe, as well as the travels of individual characters like No Name Smurf's self-discovery.
The movie's visual design, which is based on Peyo's original art, gives it a retro vibe while still showing off new animation. The voice cast is made up of a wide range of outstanding people, which makes sure that the performances are interesting and bring the Smurf characters to life. Some people think that the movie is a good step for the franchise, even though it had mixed reviews at first. It brings back the Smurf world in a joyful and colorful way.
What the Smurfs franchise will mean for the future
The introduction of Smurfs in 2025 is a new chapter in the franchise's long history. The popularity of the movie could have an effect on future animated ventures and spin-offs. Natasha Lyonne has jokingly said that she would want to see more Mama Poot stuff. She said, "I already have a deal for 97 pictures and 3000 Mama Poot spinoffs. So I hope people want it. I do have another calendar for the next ten years, and all it has on it is Mama Poot. I would definitely come back as Mama Poot.
Over the years, the Smurfs have been able to adapt to a wide range of movie styles. This new animated musical style could make people more interested in the characters and their world again. The movie's potential to bring the Smurfs back to a larger audience will be a big part of what decides what happens in the next movies. The franchise keeps exploring themes of community, identity, and bravery, which keeps people interested.