Press Releases

MELVILLE, NY (July 15, 2013) - Rubie's Costume Company Inc., has teamed up with Lafig Belgium/IMPS to produce officially licensed costumes, masks, make up and accessories inspired by Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Animation's The Smurfs™ 2, in theaters July 31, 2013.

Available in newborn, infant, toddler, children and adult sizes, The Smurfs 2 Costume Collection introduces new characters Vexy™ and Hackus™ (also known as the Naughties) and includes Smurf™, Papa Smurf™, Smurfette™, and the evil wizard Gargamel™.

"Gargamel is a wickedly funny character that an entire generation of Smurf fans loves to hate - what better costume for Halloween?" said Howard Beige, Rubie's Executive Vice President. "If you want a night to bring out your naughty side, try on The Smurfs 2's Vexy and Hackus. Or if you're a fan where blue is the only thing that will do, we have Smurf, Papa, and Smurfette."

From Papa Smurf and Brainy Smurf to Grouchy Smurf and Smurfette, Rubie's has a costume for the Smurf in all of us!

In this sequel to the hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy The Smurfs™, the evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants, and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world's greatest sorcerer. It's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue? The film is directed by Raja Gosnell and produced by Jordan Kerner. The screenplay is by J. David Stem & David N. Weiss and Jay Scherick & David Ronn and Karey Kirkpatrick with a story by J. David Stem & David N. Weiss & Jay Scherick & David Ronn, Based on the Characters and Works of Peyo.

About the Smurfs
The story of the Smurfs - a property created by Peyo - started in 1958 with the creation of comic books which were later brought to both the big and small screen. Over the years, the little blue characters haven't just limited themselves to the page and the screen. They have inspired records and CDs that have sold millions of copies, entire collections of figurines and toys, and many more derived products. Leading brands and companies have spread their messages worldwide with the help of the Smurfs and a multitude of new projects appear regularly, thus making the success of the Smurfs planetary!

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About Sony Pictures Animation
Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The studio is following its worldwide comedy hits - the 2012 monster hit comedy "Hotel Transylvania", the 2011 hybrid live action/animated blockbuster "The Smurfs", and the 2009 mouth-watering "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" - with "The Smurfs 2" in July 2013, and "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2" in September 2013. Sony Pictures Animation, in conjunction with Aardman Animations, has produced two critically acclaimed feature films: the CG-animated family comedy "Arthur Christmas"; and the Academy Award® nominated stop-frame animated high-seas adventure, "The Pirates! Band of Misfits". In 2007, "Surf's Up" also received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. The division, whose first feature film "Open Season" led to a very successful movie franchise, turned 10 in 2012. Sony Pictures Animation is an operating unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions.

• * Website: http://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/
• * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SONYPicturesAnimation
• * Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonyanimation
• * Tumblr: http://sonyanimation.tumblr.com/
• * YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SonyAnimation

  About Lafig Belgium S.A.
  Lafig Belgium is the owner of the rights to produce audio-visual works based on the Smurf universe and of the Smurf worldwide licensing rights (together with IMPS). Lafig Belgium is controlled by the heirs of Pierre Culliford, better known under his pseudonym Peyo, the author/creator of the Smurfs. For 50 years, the Culliford family has controlled the Smurf characters and all licenses worldwide.

  About Rubie's Costume Company
  Rubie's, the world's largest manufacturer of Halloween costumes and accessories specializes in the creation, design, manufacturing, and distribution of costumes, make-up, wigs, masks, hats, prosthetics, and accessory items. Rubie's products are distributed wherever Halloween and masquerade costumes are retailed, including national retail chains, toy stores, costume shops, variety stores, party stores, and other specialty retailers located throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe, Latin and South America, Australia, and Asia. For more information please call 516-326-1500 or visit www.rubies.com.

  Media Contact:
  Rubie's Costume Company
  Sherri J. Klaus (858)775-4303
  sherrik@rubies.com