BRUSSELS – Belgium rolled out a vibrant blue carpet for the world premiere of the latest Smurf movie, attracting celebrity appearances such as Rihanna.
Rihanna, who plays the role of producer and lends her voice to the character Smurfette, attended the family film’s debut. The film is a live-action, animated reboot that follows Smurfette as she leads a daring rescue mission to save Papa Smurf.
At the premiere event in Brussels, the Grammy-winning singer, who is expecting a child, took time to converse with young fans, linked arms with a performer dressed as her animated counterpart, and walked into the screening arm-in-arm with A$AP Rocky.
The film’s director, Chris Miller, was in attendance, accompanied by several Smurf-themed toys. The cast also included well-known names like James Corden and Dan Levy. Many attendees embraced the theme by donning various hues of Smurf-inspired blue attire.
The U.S. release of the movie is scheduled for July 18.
In Belgium, where the Smurfs originated as “Schtroumpfs” created by comic artist Peyo, the capital city celebrated the premiere with an entire weekend of Smurf-related festivities.
The event took place at the heart of Brussels, an area close to a museum dedicated to the Smurfs. In a nod to the occasion, the iconic Mannekin Pis statue was dressed as No Name Smurf. The Grand-Place hosted various Smurf-themed activities throughout the weekend, while the city’s tour buses and trains received a blue makeover for the event.