There have been rumors of a Smurf revival for several years ago. In fact, almost three years ago we found out producer Jordan Kerner had been hired by Paramount to create a movie based on the Belgian comic book characters. Since then, we’ve heard Kerner talk about taking a CG approach, and even gotten a glimpse of possible wireframe work. Three years is a long time with no solid product to show, however.

It seems Kerner has actually been working on a Smurfs project longer than we thought. Variety reports that Kerner aquired the rights in 2002 and was working on the movie for Paramount, who no longer is backing the film. Instead Sony Pictures Animation has acquired the rights to a Smurfs movie, through Kerner, with a plan to bring a live-action / animated movie to theaters.

I can’t help but think we’re all being smurfed around a bit here, particularly those who are interested in seeing the little blue guys on the screen. Animated movie, CG movie, live-action/animated movie. Just give us a freakin’ movie already. Papa Smurf had black hair when all these development deals started. Now we’ve moved to a new studio, missed the highly marketable anniversary of The Smurfs, and might as well be starting over again.

For what it’s worth, Paramount isn’t completely out of the picture. The studio has an option to co-finance and handle international distribution on The Smurfs should the movie actually happen. I think Gargamel has a better chance of finding that mushroom village than a Smurfs movie has of finding its way to theaters at this point, though.