Back in February, a leaked picture (shown at right) of what was supposedly one of the new CGI Smurfs being created for the live-action/CG hybrid family flick, The Smurfs.

Since then, most of the attention being given to this movie was toward Hank Azaria being cast as Gargamel and our first looks at the actor in full costume and running around New York City. Now, we return our attention to those little blue creatures, who are finally making their debut.

USA Today has the very first image showing off the Smurfs in all of their full-color CGI glory as they hang out in Times Square. The image features Grouchy Smurf, Papa Smurf, and Clumsy Smurf.

Keep on moving to check out this first peek at those lovable Smurfs.

Also being shared along with these images is a little more info on the movie itself. It’s no secret that the Smurfs and all of these other beloved cartoon characters running around New York is not that appealing. Thankfully, it sounds like the movie will at least begin in the Middle Ages and in the little village in the forest where the Smurfs dwell. One night during a blue moon, Clumsy Smurf wanders off into the woods and stumbles upon a forbidden grotto with a strange portal that transports him to Central Park. This of course leads the other Smurfs to set off to find him, with Gargamel hot on their trail. How excited are you right now?

OK, so I’m still not sure why they need to move this to New York. You could use that same storyline in the forests and surrounding locations of the Middle Ages and your cheese-factor would be severely lowered. But hey, at least the beginning of the movie might be watchable.

The Smurfs is directed by Raja Gosnell and also stars Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays. It will be released on July 29, 2011.

UPDATE: Not only was the first image released, but the first teaser trailer, which pretty much solidifies how terrible this movie is going to be. “Smurf’d”? Really? Check both out below.

Image

Trailer