Watch: Hank Azaria on why ‘The Smurfs 2’ and ‘Lovelace’ are practically the same movie

While you wouldn’t think that “The Smurfs 2” and forthcoming porn biopic “Lovelace” starring Amanda Seyfried would have much in common, they’re actually more similar than any of us imagined – at least according to Hank Azaria. And he should know, because he starred in both movies.

“I find a lot of similarities, actually,” Azaria told me during the junket for the former film, in which he reprises the role of Gargamel. “We painted Amanda blue one day. So right there.”

Oh, but that’s not all, as it turns out. Taking off from my mention of Gargamel’s clear mommy and daddy issues – which are briefly dramatized in the family follow-up – Azaria even managed the neat trick of linking the two films on a thematic level.

“They really are similar thematically, in that Linda Lovelace had some very serious mommy and daddy issues that are very much explored in that movie,” he told me. “It’s a really, truly tragic story. I didn’t realize how much…you kinda tend to see her as this kinda frivolous, fun-loving persona…and she was, but she also suffered terribly.”

And then, as if coming to his senses:

“We probably shouldn’t talk about this in front of the Smurfs,” Azaria deadpanned. “Vexy doesn’t mind, but Smurfette…”

Well, that worked out nicely.

To see what else Azaria had to say, click on the video above for the full interview.

“The Smurfs 2” hits theaters on Wednesday.

Twitter: @HitFixChris

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