Hank Azaria The Smurfs 2 DVD Interview

Interview with Hank Azaria ("Gargamel")

 

Question:    The first Smurfs was a huge hit around the world. Were you surprised by its success?

 

Hank Azaria:   I knew the reason they wanted to make it was because it had worldwide appeal but I thought The Smurfs started in the '80s as an American cartoon. I didn't realize it had such a European history so everybody was a little surprised at how well it did. Pleasantly surprised. We had all bonuses attached to how well it did so we were really happy.

 

 

Question:  "Gargamel" is such a famous character but were you given room to make him your own?

 

Hank Azaria:   I was only really aware of the American cartoon version of "Gargamel." I wanted to change it because I didn't like that character. I thought he was kind of boring. But in the end, I vocally sound pretty much like what I remember from the American cartoon. I just wanted to make him more sarcastic. The man's most significant relationship is with a cat. I wanted to reflect that. He's obviously a lonely, weird individual.

 

 

Question:  Is it fun playing such a mean character?

 

Hank Azaria:   It is! It's cathartic. That's the fun thing about acting: you get to do things that you wouldn't normally do, including being mean and nasty to cute little creatures and then it's out of your system and you can go home and be nice to the wife and kid. [Laughs]

 

 

Question:  What was it like acting opposite "cute creatures" you couldn't see?

Hank Azaria:   Because I do so much animation [voice-over] recording, I'm sort of used to it. Often, you do that alone and with nobody there. And, as a child, I had imaginary friends. I really did. I had three imaginary friends. So I guess I was used to that kind of a thing. Now I prefer that. I'd rather just deal with imaginary things than other actors, who can be annoying.

 

 

Question:  What was it like when you had to work with an actual actor on this movie?

 

Hank Azaria:   The rare time when another actor comes in, I'd be like, "Oh, right. Here's another actor. He needs to act, too. So it has to be okay with him, too." I was used to deciding between an imaginary Smurf and me what the bit would be.

 

 

Question:  You also worked with a real cat playing "Azriel." What was that like?

 

Hank Azaria:   There are four cats that make up that cat. Well, four real cats when he's not completely computer generated. Obviously his face is often animated. But different cats had different moods and were good at different things.

 

 

Question:  In real life, are you a cat person?

 

Hank Azaria:    I have one that's my wife's and I've inherited it. [It's] named Ubi. I'll tell you this, I really enjoy throwing cats. They land in whatever way and they go with whatever and you can be very mean to cats within reason and they're fine. But it's a little hard working with cats because they're not as good as dogs. All they can do is hit a mark and that's pretty much it.

 

Question:  How much time did you spend in the makeup chair getting ready for this role and do you have a makeup chair routine to pass the time?

 

Hank Azaria:    It was two hours a day. You do whatever works: you'll chat; you'll listen to music. Usually we'll have music playing in the room because I can't put [earphones] in my ears because they're often working around there. And I sleep when I can. And go over the day's work and memorize lines.

 

 

Question:  Was it different shooting in Paris this time, rather than New York City?

 

Hank Azaria:   It was very different. It would probably be different shooting in New York now since the first movie's come out and the little ones are more aware of it. It's a strange thing to be in this costume anyway, but at least on set you're sort of protected. To be out in the world as "Gargamel" - not all children are nice. There are odd moments of needing security. There was a kid who would not stop pulling at my nose.

 

Question:  What was it like performing magic in the film?

 

Hank Azaria:   He's got real magic, so it's quite astounding. He kind of accidentally gets annoyed at people and turns them into things, not realizing that's quite a good magic show.

 

 

Question:  Are you good at magic?

Hank Azaria:   When you have a magic wand and special effects later, you're very good.

 

 

The Smurfs 2 DVD

Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Winters, Hank Azaria, Jayma Mays, Christina Ricci, Katy Perry
Director: Raja Gosnell
Genre: Live Action, Animated, Family, Comedy
Rated: G
Running Time: 100 minutes

Synopsis: The Smurfs are back, bigger, bolder and bluer than ever with the hyper-energetic sequel The Smurfs 2. With adorable characters, laugh-out‐loud comedy and a dynamic cast, this family favourite is available on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™, DVD & UltraViolet™.

The Smurfs 2 boasts an all-star cast, including Katy Perry (Rust and Bone, The Ugly Truth), Christina Ricci (Sleepy Hollow, Monster), Jonathan Winters (The Smurfs, The Flinstones), Neil Patrick-Harris (How I Met Your Mother, The Smurfs), Jayma Mays (Glee, Red Eyes), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Godzilla), George Lopez (George Lopez, Lopez Tonight), Anton Yelchin (Fright Night, Star Trek) Brendan Gleeson (Troy, Braveheart), John Oliver (The Smurfs, Gravity Falls), and Frank Armisen (Anchorman: The Legend on Ron Burgundy, Easy A).

Comically evil villain Gargamel (Hank Azaria) has become a star attraction in France, amazing people with his sorcery. But fame, money and a penthouse are not enough, he wants more Smurf essence so he can enslave the world. He creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties, hoping they'll help him harness their powers, but he soon discovers that he needs the help of Smurfette (Perry), who knows the secret of turning the Naughties into real Smurfs. When Gargamel and his Naughties kidnap Smurfette from Smurf Village and bring her to Paris, it's up to Papa Smurf (Winters), Clumsy (Yelchin), Grouchy (Lopez) and Vanity (Oliver) to reunite with their human friends, Patrick (Patrick-Harris) and Grace (Mays) Winslow, and rescue her!

Special Features:
Daddy's Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette
Animating Azrael
Deleted Scenes

 

Blu-­ray Exclusive Special Features:
Evolution ofthe Naughties
The Puurrfect Companion: Azrael's Tail

The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy

Smurf-­O-Vision 2 App*: Play Smurftastic activities with your favourite Smurfs and  sync with your Blu-ray™ to unlock more fun!

 

The Smurfs 2 3D
RRP: $39.95
Blu-­ray 3D™ + UltraViolet™ (2D): $49.95
Blu-­ray™ + DVD + UltraViolet™: $49.95
Blu-­ray™ + UltraViolet™: $44.95

Website: www.TheSmurfs2.com.au