Sony Pictures Animation's Smurfs franchise is getting rid of the humans and focusing on the fully computer-animated title characters in the new movie Smurfs: The Lost Village. Directed by Kelly Asbury (Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Shrek 2, Gnomeo and Juliet), the newest Smurfs movie promises to be unlike anything we've seen before. Fans should prepare themselves for a bold adventure film into the Forbidden Forest and beyond, as teased in the film's first trailer.

Unfortunately, as is the vogue with movie marketing lately, this trailer is more of a teaser than anything else. It does introduce the Smurfy foursome that will lead most of the picture and hints at the weird world they're stepping into, but it's just a placeholder for something larger. And in a head-scratcher of a decision, the use of Ludacris' "Get Back" as the music to this little vignette feels completely nonsensical, but hey, I guess the kids today love 12-year-old, clean versions of rap tracks.

Starring Demi Lovato as Smurfette. Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf, Rainn Wilson as Gargamel, Joe Manganiello as Hefty, Danny Pudi as Brainy Smurf and Jack McBrayer as Clumsy Smurf, Smurfs: The Lost Village opens in theaters April 7, 2017.

Check out the first trailer for Smurfs: The Lost Village below:

Here's the official synopsis for Smurfs: The Lost Village:

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does.  Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

For more on the new film, here's what Asbury had to say, via the film's production blog:

How different is SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE from the previous two Smurfs features?

 

KA: Sony Pictures Animation’s previous two SMURFS movies were live action films in which real humans interacted with more realistically designed and animated Smurfs, and the stories centered as much around the human characters’ issues. SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE has nothing to do with those other films. It is a radically different take on the Smurfs and their imaginary world, fully computer animated, and much closer to the tone and style that creator Peyo initially envisioned.

 

What was the inspiration for this film?

 

KA: Many things inspired the type of movie we wanted to make. Everyone involved agreed that the story should be a high-adventure journey, so classic movies like RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and GOONIES came to mind. The richness in color was influenced by the great French Impressionists painters. The Forbidden Forest where the Smurfs venture was envisioned as equal parts Oz, Pandora and Wonderland, filled with dangerous and magical creatures like Smurf-eating Flowers or Boxing and Kissing Plants, to name a few.

 

What can you tell us about the voice cast?

 

KA: Demi Lovato has a certain toughness mixed in with a confident brand of femininity, which is perfect for Smurfette. Mandy Patinkin is one of my favorite actors, who can play both comedy and drama, each with honesty and sincerity. Who better then to play Papa Smurf? Rainn Wilson has a unique way of portraying wacky, comical characters, who are self-important, yet deeply insecure and flawed - that’s Gargamel in a nutshell. Joe Manganiello is the manly man, with a big heart, so he’s perfect for Hefty and happens to be a major Smurfs fan. Danny Pudi has a way with nerdiness that encompasses Brainy Smurf’s persona. Jack McBrayer can channel the fumbling nervousness needed to play Clumsy Smurf. All together, they form a wonderful ensemble, each of whom is hugely fun to work with. And there’s other incredible talent in the film which I can’t tell you about just yet.

 

The teaser poster & teaser trailer hint at a mysterious forest, what can you tell us about what’s new in this film?

 

KA: Without giving too much away, all I’ll say is that this

new movie takes the Smurfs - and the audience - on a journey into a Forbidden Forest, a fantastical world like no other, filled with crazy plants, insects and animals. Most of all, there are surprises at every turn. The colors, shapes and overall environment are transportive and exciting, just the way a fun adventure movie should be. And the clever humorous tone should delight audiences of all ages–Smurfs fans or not!