How Did Rihanna Influence James Corden's Role in 'The Smurfs'?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rihanna's voice note led James Corden to join 'The Smurfs'.
- Corden voices No Name, a character seeking purpose.
- The film highlights collaboration between animation and music.
- 'The Smurfs' remains a significant cultural phenomenon.
- Rihanna enjoyed blending her musical talent with character portrayal.
Mumbai, July 4 (NationPress) Renowned American television host and actor James Corden disclosed that it was Rihanna who played a pivotal role in securing his involvement in the upcoming film 'The Smurfs'.
Corden recounted receiving an unexpected voice message from Rihanna. "I got a voice note from Rihanna on my phone, which had never happened to me before or since. She said, would you come and be in this Smurf movie? Would I? I was so blown away. And that is the whole story of how I came to play No Name," he reminisced.
Corden lends his voice to Smurfette's closest companion and emotional anchor - No Name - described as the heart and soul of the narrative by director Chris Miller.
Regarding his character, Corden explained, “In the Smurf universe, he feels entirely adrift. For him, the film revolves around his journey to find his purpose. Smurfette serves as his ally and confidante, assuring him that everything will be alright. She delivers some tough love at times. And she’s also an amazing singer, because… it’s Rihanna.”
When discussing the experience of singing alongside Rihanna, the television host humorously remarked that it was "no small task." “When I was in the studio with Rihanna and her producers, it was tough not to feel like someone made a huge mistake,” Corden quipped.
Corden expressed his enthusiasm about participating in one of pop culture’s most legendary franchises.
“I believe that anywhere you go in the world, showing a picture of a Smurf will have more than half of the audience recognizing it. It’s a phenomenon that has endured for an incredibly long time and maintained its significance. I’m truly honored to be part of it,” he reflected.
On her multifaceted role in 'The Smurfs', Rihanna shared, "It was invigorating and exciting for me to not only embody a character but also merge my musical life into the mix. We collaborated with music producers and choreographers I admire. Combining those two realms was a win-win for everyone and challenged our artistry.”
'The Smurfs' is set to be released in India by Paramount Pictures India on July 18 in both English and Hindi.