We've seen the very early basic designs [1] for the CGI (and possibly 3-D) Smurfs movie, and today there's news that Sony has snatched up the film rights [2], and they plan to make it just like last year's Alvin and the Chipmunks [3] movie — with live-action actors alongside the animated blue guys (and gal). Variety continues:

[Producer Jordan] Kerner said the genesis of the current project began during a holiday conversation with Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman-CEO Michael Lynton, who grew up with Les Schtroumpfs in the Netherlands. "He relished them as I do and suggested that it should be a live-action/CG film," he said. "(Studio topper) Amy (Pascal) felt equally that there was potentially a series of films in the making."

"The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises, and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world," Columbia co-president Doug Belgrad said. "We're very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other smurftastic Smurfs in all of their 'three-apple-tall' glory."

I don't know about you, but I might just pretend this isn't happening, until it does. In the meantime, the Smurfs' official website [4] is actually really cute and informative, and there's a fun section devoted to the Smurfs' 50th anniversary [5] — which is October 23 of this year!

Source [6]