In this Smurfs interview, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, and Xolo Maridueña talk new movie, beloved characters, and Blue Beetle’s DCU future.
Get ready to feel blue in the best possible way! The beloved tiny, azure creatures are making their highly anticipated return to the big screen in Smurfs, hitting theaters on July 18th. This new animated adventure promises to introduce a whole new generation to the whimsical world of Smurf Village, as Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, leading Smurfette and the gang on a mission into the real world to save him and discover what truly defines their destiny.
Mama’s Geeky recently had the incredible opportunity to catch up with some of the film’s stellar voice cast: John Goodman, who lends his iconic voice to Papa Smurf; Nick Offerman, bringing a new Smurf, Ken, to life; and Xolo Maridueña, voicing Brainy Smurf. During our conversations, they revealed what it means to them to bring these beloved characters to a whole new generation.
John Goodman discusses the pressures and honors of voicing such a well-known character like Papa Smurf, while Nick Offerman shares how fun it was to create a new Smurf with unique abilities. Xolo Maridueña dives into connecting with Brainy Smurf and even gets a little off-topic with some exciting news about Practical Magic 2 and the future of Blue Beetle!
Introducing a New Generation to the Smurfs
Mama’s Geeky: What does it mean for you to be a part of the introduction of the Smurfs for a new generation?
John Goodman: It’s actually kind of an honor to relaunch something. To be associated with it anyway, especially with all the good talent that’s in this film.
Nick Offerman: Yeah, I mean, I had Smurfs in my house when I was a kid, and to sort of re-imagine it as a… it’s a medicinal delivery system. You know, it’s good-hearted, good values for kids. And so, I can’t speak for John, but as a wrinkled, middle-aged fellow, I’m glad to be able to hopefully entertain the young people. It’s hard to get them to sit still.
Xolo Maridueña: It means the world. I’ve been blessed with getting to be a part of a couple of projects now that have brought something familiar to a new generation. And that energy has been so warm. I’ve really admired the opportunity to get to sit down with your family intergenerationally and enjoy something and get to sit in that experience. It’s a dream come true. And the Smurfs totally have it written all over their face. They’re there for everyone.
Crafting New & Familiar Smurfs
Mama’s Geeky: Now for you, Nick, you get to play a new Smurfs character. So what was it like getting to come up with your own Smurf?
Nick Offerman: It was really fun. I mean, I was tickled that they had the idea to have this sort of, you know, secret special ops force protecting the goodness of the Smurfs’ existence, centered in the city of lights, in a light fixture, in a Paris Bordello. And you know, I’m the first Smurf who can perform 17 different Kung Fu Katas.
Mama’s Geeky: And then John, for you, Papa Smurf is already so beloved, but what was it like to get to bring your own spin to him?
John Goodman: It’s a challenge because he is well-known, and I don’t know how this is gonna land. I hope it lands well, but like I say, I had a great script to go from, and that’s most of the battle right there.
Mama’s Geeky: Xolo, do you feel like you relate to Brainy Smurf at all?
Xolo Maridueña: Come on. I’m always losing my glasses. I’m like, what the heck? I can’t do anything without my glasses. I’m like, thank god my contacts have been working all day. Because if not, I’d be like, yes, well, actually it’s spilling everything. And yeah, sometimes I think I know it all too, but I definitely don’t. So Brainy and I have that in common.
What’s Your Smurf Name?
Mama’s Geeky: If you were a Smurf, what do you think your thing would be? What would be your Smurf name?
John Goodman: Sleepy, low-energy Smurf.
Nick Offerman: I would be Metric Smurf. I would want to try and induce reasonable measuring systems. Logical.
Xolo Maridueña: My Smurf name? Well, Clumsy’s already taken. So Clumsy’s already taken. I think I like maybe Stand-Up Comedian Smurf. Maybe I’d be like, But-Um-Ch Smurf. He’s just saying jokes that don’t land all the time. Good jokes to a crowd of one. I think that’s the type of Smurf I’d be.
More Than Just Smurfs
Mama’s Geeky: Xolo, I just saw a news that you joined the cast of Practical Magic 2. Tell me about it. What can you say?
Xolo Maridueña: Isn’t Practical Magic the best? Yes. Isn’t it just the best movie? I’m so excited to get to join that team. They are, we got to do a table read, and I just about spontaneously combusted because there is, the chemistry is electric with all of the cast. You have the familiar faces from the original and some new faces to really help round out the cast and to just be there in the room. I’m elated. I’m heading from here back there.
Mama’s Geeky: And you don’t have to keep it a secret anymore now. That’s going to be the hardest part.
Xolo Maridueña: I’m a blabbermouth. I’ve got a podcast every week. It’s hard for me not to talk about my life.
Mama’s Geeky: The DCU has officially kicked off in theaters now with Superman. James Gunn has said Blue Beetle is not going anywhere. But have you had any conversations? Do you know anything?
Xolo Maridueña: Yeah, yeah, yeah. James Gunn, Peter Safran, John Rickard, Galen, everyone over at the DC team has been so kind in welcoming in Blue Beetle into the DC greater universe, the DCU, whatever, like I’m so bad with labels, but they just had a really awesome release and I’m really excited that this is an awesome first step in the direction of opening up that universe and we got some animated stuff, some live action stuff, a whole bunch of areas that Blue Beetle and the greater Reyes family can join in. So I’m blessed, I’m just hoping that it needs to be with Angel Manuel Soto, you know? That’s my guy.
The Heart of the Smurfs
Mama’s Geeky: What do you hope kids take away from Smurfs? Because it is a good message.
John Goodman: It is, and it’s a good reminder to trust yourself and be able to find your identity through what you mean to others. And it’s something I forget to do all the time. And it’s a nice reminder.
Nick Offerman: I agree. I’ve loved hearing John talk about this all day. And in this time when I think companies want our young people and the rest of us to be isolated and just focused in on our devices, it’s harder to understand your worth than when you are within a community. If you’re saying, what is my thing? What is my talent? If you’re in a group of people, everyone has a gift, and you’ll come to understand what you have to offer to the group.
For more insights from the cast and behind-the-scenes fun, be sure to check out the full interview video. And don’t miss Smurfs when it arrives in theaters on July 18th!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.