Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have acquired the film rights to the vintage worldwide cartoon icons THE SMURFS for producer Jordan Kerner and his Kerner Entertainment banner. The fully 3DCG film will be written by Herb Ratner.

Kerner Entertainment's production topper, Paul Neesan will Exec. Produce the film along with NICK Movies topper Julia Pistor. Paramount Production V.P. Matt Jackson will guide the film for the studio.

The Smurfs originated on the pen of creator Peyo (Pierre Culliford) in 1958 in a Franco-Belgian Comic. In 1981, Papa Smurf and his little blue friends made their way to America and became a major success for NBC, spawning 256 episodes, huge ratings and multiple Emmy awards. The SMURFS will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2008. Which is the same year as the intended release of the first of at least three SMURF films.

Ratner and Kerner Entertainment conceived the story as a comedic trilogy with a large canvas. The producers, tight lipped about the story, only revealed that two important smurfy questions will be answered in the first film.

Ratner recently penned MR. LUCKY for Revolution.

Kerner Entertainment is in post-production on the Paramount/Walden/Nickelodeon 2006 Summer Tentpole CHARLOTTE’S WEB starring Dakota Fanning and various voice talent including Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, Steve Buscemi Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Thomas Hayden Church, Andre 3000, Jennifer Garner and John Cleese.