Christina Ricci to Star in SMURFS Sequel

As first reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Christina Ricci has joined the cast of the upcoming sequel to THE SMURFS from Sony and Sony Pictures Animation. The actress will voice the role of 'Vexi', described as an "evil version of Smurfette."

THE SMURFS was released in 2011 and was based on the comic characters of Belgian creator Peyo. The live-action, CG film was directed by Raja Gosnell and was a huge hit at the box office, grossing over $564 million worldwide. The movie starred Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria and featured voiceovers by Alan Cummings, Katy Perry, Paul Reubens and Anton Yelchin. 

Much of the cast has signed on to return for the upcoming sequel which is set to be released in theaters on July 31, 2013.

Ricci was most recently seen in the ABC series Pan Am. She will soon appear in the historical drama  Bel Ami opposite Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman, which opens June 8. The actress has appeared in "The Addams Family," "Casper" and "That Darn Cat".