Latest news with #animated
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How the ABC bungled a $4billion payday - as Aussie show among the biggest in the world makes major move
The ABC has been left red-faced after the UK channel that airs Bluey announced it is set to make even more money off one of Australia's most successful cultural exports. This week, the BBC revealed plans to transform Bluey into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, marking another major commercial leap for the animated juggernaut. Alongside the expansion of its already booming merchandise empire, a Bluey feature film is now in the works, set to be released in 2027 and distributed globally by Disney. In just 2024 alone, Bluey was the driving force behind a bumper $4billion in commercial profits for BBC Studios through global licensing, product deals, and themed experiences. That staggering haul is more than four times the annual budget of the ABC, which is funded by the federal government and Australian taxpayers. The ABC was among the original co-commissioners of Bluey, which first aired in 2018, but failed to secure any significant merchandising deals. Despite being developed and produced in Brisbane by Ludo Studio, most of the benefits of show's commercial success has flowed offshore. Since its debut, Bluey has become a global sensation, celebrated for its heartwarming storytelling, gentle humour, and uniquely Australian character. Bluey-branded merchandise ranges from plush toys and puzzles to camping gear, clothing, and even nappies. In 2024, a large-scale Bluey-themed attraction, Bluey's World, opened in Brisbane, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 'World's Greatest Places' for 2025. In the same year, Bluey was the number one most viewed show in the United States, recording more than 55billion minutes of viewing time on Disney+. 'From a retail sales standpoint, we are generating about £2.7bn in global retail sales across our entire portfolio and Bluey is a really, really big chunk of that,' Suzy Raia, who heads global consumer products at BBC Studios, told The Guardian. Yet despite its deep Australian roots, the ABC has reaped little financial reward from Bluey's explosive global success. As reported by The Courier-Mail in February, the ABC made no attempt to secure merchandising rights during the show's early development. Then-managing director David Anderson was present at the meeting where Bluey was first pitched to the network. 'We don't make money out of Bluey,' Anderson told the ABC in 2023. 'What Bluey does is provide joy to children and families all over the country and now all over the world. And that would be priceless.' In 2024, ABC Chair Kim Williams addressed the Australian Press Club, warning of declining public funding for the broadcaster and calling for greater government support. Just a few months later in June, the ABC slashed at least 50 jobs in a round of budget cuts, under the new leadership of Managing Director Hugh Marks. Among the casualties was the long-running current affairs program Q&A, once a flagship forum for national political and cultural debate. In an email sent to ABC staff, Marks justified the changes were part of the ABC stepping back from 'areas that no longer align with our priorities'.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Smurfs' Review: Rihanna and James Corden Lead All-Star Voice Cast in a Reboot That Chooses Chaos Over Charm
It's been eight years since the last theatrical Smurfs movie, and you know what that means. A whole new crop of very young children are primed to experience their favorite animated characters on the big screen. Unfortunately, what they're getting is Paramount's new reboot featuring the sort of ridiculously overstuffed big-name cast whose names will mean absolutely nothing to them but will provide some reassurance to their adult chaperones, who would no doubt prefer to be watching the new I Know What You Did Last Summer at the adjoining multiplex theater. Not-so-imaginatively titled Smurfs, this latest incarnation represents the sort of charmless, wildly chaotic animated effort that has the unintended effect of reminding us why cutting publicly funded children's television is such a terrible idea. It's directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots, Shrek the Third), who also voices Grouchy Smurf. Watching the movie makes it easy to understand why he chose that character. More from The Hollywood Reporter Rise of the Machines: Inside Hollywood's AI Civil War 'Smurfs' Is a Rihanna Passion Project: "She Was Pursuing It" 'Poker Face' Boss Rian Johnson Delighted in That Finale Cliffhanger Tease: "Peacock Was a Little Nervous" The screenplay is by Pam Brady, who previously wrote such subversive animated efforts as South Park: Bigger, Long & Uncut and Team America: World Police, providing some hope that maybe this is all some big put-on. That's sadly not the case — instead, we get the sort of generic storyline in which evil wizards are once again intent on world domination, in this case by kidnapping Papa Smurf (John Goodman) in an attempt to procure a magic book that will help them achieve their ends. (At least I think that's what the story was. It seemed mostly incomprehensible to me, and asking the seven-year-old sitting nearby to explain it might have come across as creepy.) Anyway, it's up to Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) to lead her fellow Smurfs in a mission to save their patriarch. Among them is No Name, who's suffering an identity crisis because, unlike such fellow Smurfs as Hefty Smurf (Alex Winter), Worry Smurf (Billie Lourd) and Vanity Smurf (Maya Erskine), he doesn't have a 'thing.' He's voiced by James Corden, and for those of you desperately missing Carpool Karaoke, rest assured that you get to hear Corden crooning a power ballad. Yes, this is one of those animated movies in which the characters periodically break into song, and sometimes even elaborate dance numbers. None of the songs, not even Rihanna's 'Friend of Mine,' proves particularly memorable. But there are certainly enough of them to fill the inevitable soundtrack album. The Smurfs' mission launches them into the real world, including such locations as Paris, the Australian Outback, and Munich, which only serve as unpleasant reminders of Sony's previous, misbegotten animated/live-action hybrids. The Australian section features a musical number showcasing CGI kangaroos, which even one of the characters aptly describes as 'weird.' It also serves to introduce us to the Snooterpoots — small, feathered, Minion-like creatures who will definitely be showing up at a toy store near you. Their leader, Mama Poot, is voiced by Natasha Lyonne, who uses her distinct gravelly voice to good comic effect. The Smurfs also venture into alternate universes, as if we didn't already get enough of that nonsense from the MCU. Weirdly, there's a lot of sibling stuff going on in the movie. The villains are brother evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel (both played by JP Karliak), who have serious rivalry issues. And Papa Smurf has not one but two brothers, Ken (the ever-reliable Nick Offerman) and long-lost Ron (Kurt Russell), who, needless to say, reappears by the story's end. It was telling that at a preview screening packed with young children, there was nary a laugh to be heard despite the film featuring one would-be joke after another. The sole exception was when one of the Smurfs referred to himself as 'kick-ass,' with the profanity bleeped out, which the kids found absolutely hilarious. If you look at the credits box accompanying this review, you'll see that the cast also includes such ringers as Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham and Daniel Levy, among others. Few of them make any impression whatsoever, but it's comforting to know that already overpaid stars are getting big bucks to sit in recording booths for a couple of days while reading from scripts. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Natasha Lyonne Jokes About Comparisons To ‘Smurfs' Role Mama Poot: 'Women, Don't Age In Hollywood'
With Natasha Lyonne joining a franchise based on a beloved '80s childhood classic, the Smurfs star was up for any role. The 2x Golden Globe nominee revealed how she got the voice role of Mama Poot in the new animated feature adaptation, which is now in theaters, and how she feels about comparisons to the character. More from Deadline 'Smurfs' Review: Rihanna And All-Star Cast Give Us The Blues In Franchise's Nostalgic Reboot Of The Cartoon Icons 'Poker Face's Natasha Lyonne & Rian Johnson On 'Completely Gonzo Bonkers' Season 2 & Which Former Co-Star They Want For Season 3 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Scares Up $2.2M In Previews, 'Eddington' $625K - Box Office 'So, they said, 'You wanna be a Smurf in a Smurfs picture?' It's an email, I say, reply all, 'Sure, who doesn't?' I mean, it's not Strawberry Shortcake, but I'll take it,' she recounted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Fallon confirmed, 'Oh, Rihanna is Smurfette?' Lyonne quipped, 'Turns out, I'm not. I'm a character called Mama Poot. Well, it's okay. I'm older now, and that's what they mean. 'Women, don't age in Hollywood or you'll become Mama Poot.' The character they showed me is a hairball with one bottom snaggle tooth, not even a top (tooth). 'They're looking at me like, 'Isn't this charming that you guys seem so similar?' I said, 'Yeah, no, it's definitely going to help me get dates, I'm sure,'' added Lyonne. 'And guys, it's not about this, but I just want to remind everyone that I have a full set of real teeth. And I'm really proud of that. Not Mama Poot, though!' Written by Pam Brady and directed by Chris Miller, Smurfs also features the voices of James Corden, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russell, Billie Lourd and more. Best of Deadline Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Costs Rise And Ads Abound (Hello, Peacock) - Update The Movies That Have Made More Than $1 Billion At The Global Box Office 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Natasha Lyonne Jokes About Comparisons To ‘Smurfs' Role Mama Poot: 'Women, Don't Age In Hollywood'
With Natasha Lyonne joining a franchise based on a beloved '80s childhood classic, the Smurfs star was up for any role. The 2x Golden Globe nominee revealed how she got the voice role of Mama Poot in the new animated feature adaptation, which is now in theaters, and how she feels about comparisons to the character. More from Deadline 'Smurfs' Review: Rihanna And All-Star Cast Give Us The Blues In Franchise's Nostalgic Reboot Of The Cartoon Icons 'Poker Face's Natasha Lyonne & Rian Johnson On 'Completely Gonzo Bonkers' Season 2 & Which Former Co-Star They Want For Season 3 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Scares Up $2.2M In Previews, 'Eddington' $625K - Box Office 'So, they said, 'You wanna be a Smurf in a Smurfs picture?' It's an email, I say, reply all, 'Sure, who doesn't?' I mean, it's not Strawberry Shortcake, but I'll take it,' she recounted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Fallon confirmed, 'Oh, Rihanna is Smurfette?' Lyonne quipped, 'Turns out, I'm not. I'm a character called Mama Poot. Well, it's okay. I'm older now, and that's what they mean. 'Women, don't age in Hollywood or you'll become Mama Poot.' The character they showed me is a hairball with one bottom snaggle tooth, not even a top (tooth). 'They're looking at me like, 'Isn't this charming that you guys seem so similar?' I said, 'Yeah, no, it's definitely going to help me get dates, I'm sure,'' added Lyonne. 'And guys, it's not about this, but I just want to remind everyone that I have a full set of real teeth. And I'm really proud of that. Not Mama Poot, though!' Written by Pam Brady and directed by Chris Miller, Smurfs also features the voices of James Corden, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russell, Billie Lourd and more. Best of Deadline Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Costs Rise And Ads Abound (Hello, Peacock) - Update The Movies That Have Made More Than $1 Billion At The Global Box Office 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What parents need to know about ‘Smurfs' and more
Age 7+ Positive messages, peril and salty language in animated adventure. The latest take on the beloved blue cartoon characters follows Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) and her friend No Name Smurf (James Corden) on an adventure to rescue Papa Smurf (John Goodman). While the movie has positive messages about believing in yourself, working as a team and persevering, there are several scenes of peril and animated violence, including a kidnapping, chases, a hero's presumed death, ominous portals and a machine designed to fatally smash Smurfs. There's also a fair bit of salty language, from insults like 'stupid' and 'idiot' to phrases and exclamations in which 'Smurf' is a stand-in for stronger words ('Smurf that,' 'load of Smurf,' 'I Smurfed my pants,' 'let's go Smurf that wizard up' and more). The name 'Kick-A-- Smurf' is bleeped. A past romance is implied between two characters, and colorful drinks are served at a bar. (89 minutes)
