It's very seldom that I get all excited about a movie adapted from a television show especially one that involves animation. But there is no way that I couldn't be stoked about a big screen version of my childhood favorite. That's right, folks, I'm talking about "The Smurfs."
     
I've mentioned it before in this column but now that Sony has officially started production on the live action/animation hybrid, I thought it would be a good time to give you a heads up on what's happening with the little blue guys and gals.
     
First, the biggest question is the plot. How do you make a cartoon about miniature creatures being hunted by an evil wizard relevant to the real world? Put them in the real world, of course. According to Sony, the film kicks off when "the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, and they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park."
     
So basically, the Smurfs gotta find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel and his evil cat track them down. (Trivia question: Do you remember the cat's name?)
     
So who is going to star in this magical romp between realities? I'm glad you asked because it's awesome.
     
On the live action side, we've got Hank Azaria as the evil wizard himself. Throw in some Neil Patrick Harris as Johan, an expectant father who becomes the Smurfs' human helper and we got ourselves a great start. Other live action stars include "Glee's" Jayma Mays and "Modern Family's" Sofia Vergara.
     
But what about the cute little creatures themselves? My friends, you are in for a treat as Sony has assembled quite a voice cast of characters including Quentin Tarantino, Katy Perry, Kevin James, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, George Lopez and Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf. (I know! I thought he was dead, too!)
     
The film is slated to be released Aug. 3, 2011.

TOXIE RETURNS
   
Speaking of cartoony adaptations, Oscar-winning film writer Akiva Goldsman ("A Beautiful Mind") is part of a group that has purchased the rights to Troma's "Toxic Avenger" series.
     
The group, it seems, intends to turn Toxie into a "green superhero for these environmentally conscious times." I'm sorry to tell you this, Avenger fans, but the films are being slated for PG to PG-13 ratings aimed at being family friendly.
     
Goldsman's next project? "Freddy Krueger Teaches Your Child about Global Warming." (Kidding.)

EXTREME FORECLOSURE
   
Like many of you, watching Ty Pennington and his hammer of magic on ABC's "Extreme Makeover" has gotten me more than a little teary eyed. But you know who's really crying? The new homeowners.
     
According to a story in the Wall Street Journal this week, several "Extreme Makeover" recipients are facing foreclosure thanks to increased utility bills and bigger tax assessments. The good news for future "Makeover" recipients is that ABC is aware of the problem and say they are downsizing future projects.
     
The average size of new makeovers is in the 2,800-square-foot range. This is a big difference from makeovers like one in a 2005 episode that featured a house being remade into a 5,300-square-foot English-style castle.
     
"I think our hearts were in the right place, but we just got carried away," said "Extreme Makeover" interior designer Tracy Hutson."It can be extreme without being the biggest house you've ever seen."

'BOSOM BUDDIES' RETURNS TO OUR LIVES
   
Best news of the week: Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari are reuniting the "Bosom Buddies" crew for the annual TV Land Awards scheduled to air on April 25.
     
Hanks and Scolari played a couple of aspiring advertising executives who dressed as women to score an apartment in an all-women's building.
   
Former cast members Holland Taylor, Telma Hopkins and Donna Dixon will also join the reunion. It will be the first time the group has appeared together since the series' last episode in 1982.

BY THE WAY
   
The cat's name was Azrael.