Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria

'The Smurfs 3' may focus on Gargamel's origins.

Actor Hank Azaria - who plays the villainous wizard in the film and its upcoming follow-up, 'The Smurfs 2' - has revealed that a proposed third film in the family-friendly franchise will likely explain how the loveable blue creatures came to cross paths with their arch nemesis.

He said: "I hear that the third movie, if there is one, might actually deal with the genuine origin of how all these characters ran into each other way back when."

Azaria also hopes that the proposed film sheds light on Gargamel's own background and how he became to be the Smurfs' feared rival.

He pondered to ComingSoon.net: "I imagine Gargamel having attended a Harry Potter-like academy in his youth for wizards and was sort of the black sheep. First of all, wasn't very good. Second of all, he must have thought the way to really be a powerful magician is to grab these Smurfs and grab their essence and everybody must have said, 'You're an idiot. Don't waste your life doing that.' And he's been trying his whole life to prove them wrong."

As well as Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays reprise their human roles in 'The Smurfs 2', while singer Katy Perry once again leads the voice cast for the titular characters.