In January 2015, "The Hollywood Reporter" reported that Mandy Patinkin was in final negotiations to voice Papa Smurf in the film. Two months later, the release date had been pushed back to March 31, 2017, in order to work on "a story that was not fully in the place," and take advantage of the Easter weekend. On June 14, 2015, Sony Pictures Animation revealed "Get Smurfy " as title of the film. In addition to Patinkin, Demi Lovato has been cast as Smurfette, and Rainn Wilson as Gargamel. The film was ultimately released on April 7, 2017, to mixed reviews, but was seen by both critics and audiences as an improvement over the live action films as Sony Pictures Animation. A television special, titled "The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol" was released on DVD on December 2, 2011, attached to "The Smurfs". "The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow" is a 22-minute animated Halloween television special, based on the Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". It premiered on June 11, 2013 at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and was released on DVD on September 10, 2013, followed by a TV premiere in October. It was directed by Stephan Franck, and it features the voices of Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, Anton Yelchin and Hank Azaria. Like the first special, "The Legend of Smurfy Hollow" combines computer-generated animation and traditionally hand-drawn animation, with the latter provided by Duck Studios.